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| Brad, Herbert (holding a picture of his father Victor) and Mitch Woodbrey |
Herbert, Brad and Mitch Woodbrey took a
moment to share their memories about the life and times of Sebago Lake
Automotive.
Their beautiful and poignant tales portray a business involving a lot of hard
work, extreme dedication, significant family and friends support and happy
customers. It is these qualities that contribute to their century long success.
It all began with
World War I behind them and the modern auto industry beginning its boom. The time seemed ripe for Victor Woodbrey and his brother Amos to purchase an auto
sales and service business on November 30, 1920.
Woodbrey
Brothers was the name of the shop and it was located in Sebago Lake Village in
Standish. The brothers remained in business together until Victor purchased his
brother’s share of the company a couple of years later, changing the name to
Sebago Lake Garage and eventually becoming a Chevrolet dealership in 1928.
Victor
had buses he ran for the town of Standish and during World War II he used them
to run Sebago Lake Defense Lines that transported workers from Fryeburg to
White Rock to the Liberty Shipyard in South Portland.
After
Victor’s death in 1949, his son Herbert took over the business in 1950 and
owned it until he retired in 1996. Now known as Sebago Lake Automotive, located
at 847 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, third generation
brothers, Brad and Mitch are the current owners.
Herbert
not only worked hard at both the sales and service part of the business but
continued with using the buses, contracting with MSAD6 school district. He
eventually had a full fleet of 18 buses.
Not
only did Herbert work hard at the garage, but he worked hard for the community
- giving back as much as he could. He was actively involved as a member of the MSAD6
school board, the Kiwanis Club, the Maine Auto Dealers Association, of which he
was once a President… and much more. “I was involved in everything - except for
the Standish Board of Selectmen – I didn’t do that,” Herbert laughed.
But
perhaps one of his noblest highlights of Herbert’s life is when he was honored
with the Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award.
As
with all of life, the business had its up moments, too. Herbert’s professional
smarts, hard work and good economical years paid off and allowed Herbert to
support three brothers and two sisters as well as his two daughters and two
sons through college. “It was probably one of my greatest accomplishments,” he
choked back tears.
Herbert
then stated that owning his business was another achievement he is proud of.
“We made it through it all and somehow succeeded, despite the many challenges,”
Herbert said thoughtfully, then adding, “I was fortunate enough to have a
wonderful wife who was my greatest partner. I couldn’t have done it without
her.”
Herbert
met his wife, Audrey, at a dance in North Windham in 1949 and they married the
following year on April 2, 1950. She passed away in 2017.
Herbert
officially retired from the business in 1996, stepping back to let his sons, Brad
and Mitch continue the Sebago Lake Automotive success. “I now consider myself a
member of the Board of Directors,” he smiled.
Brad
and Mitch are now the sole owners who were born into the industry. “If you talk
to people in car sales, almost everyone will tell you that they grew up in the
business,” stated Brad, who heads the sales department. “But we really DID
‘grow up in the business’”.
From
the moment the younger Woodbrey Brothers (along with their two sisters) were
born, the original location with its garage and car sales lot was just steps
outside their home.
They
both shared stories of working alongside their dad to help keep the shop
organized and cleaned. Whether it was painting the buildings, sweeping the
floors or counting the inventory – they began working at a young age.
But
that didn’t mean the brothers did not have fun while growing up. “Sometimes we would
play on the creepers and have oil gun fights,” Brad shared one of their many
childhood shenanigans
After
going to college, they returned to help their dad. Brad received his degree in
Business Administration from the University of Maine at Orono (UMO). He also
attended a six-week course in automotive management at Northwood Institute as
well as the Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management.
Mitch,
a graduate of UMO with a degree in Agriculture Mechanization (with a second
degree in Business), also attended the Chevrolet School of Merchandising and
Management now heads the service department.
He
admitted his dream was to become a farmer. “When dad asked me to work at the
family business, I hadn’t ‘found’ my farm yet, so – I said, ‘Okay, I’ll try it.’
My mother’s brother, Uncle Allen “Ace” Kimball, was an auto guru and service
manager at that time. He taught me everything I know today.”
Much
like their father and grandfather before them, Brad and Mitch have seen their
own ups and downs as owners of Sebago Lake Automotive. The greatest hardship occurred
when General Motors went bankrupt during the recession that began in 2008. It
was at this point GM eliminated the contract for franchise sales at many
dealerships, including Sebago Lakes Automotive, leaving a huge hole in their
income base.
“That
time was by far the most stressful experience we both had,” Mitch admitted.
“Not only did we experience a great financial loss, but it affected our work
family, too and that only added to our worries.”
Much
as dedication and hard work are a part of the Woodbrey family genetics, giving
up when times are tough is not. They, along with their loyal and dedicated
employees, customers and friends – Sebago Lake Automotive pulled through and is
busy as ever today, continuing trusted auto sales and repair service they have
been known for this past century.
Today,
in addition to Brad and Mitch – you will always be greeted by their friendly
work staff. And, Herbert, too. Herbert is there at least three days a week to
spend time with his adult sons and the rest of the Sebago Lake Automotive
family.
When
asked what advice Herbert offers his sons or others who might be considering
opening their own business, he replied, “I try to never give too much advice.
Sometimes the best experience is making your own mistakes. Believe me, I have
made way too many of my own – and I definitely learned a lot from them.”
Congratulations
to Sebago Lake Automotive for serving the community’s automotive needs so well.
Happy 100th!
