COLUMBIANA, Ohio – Columbiana Ford at 14851 South Ave. has been sold to Tallmadge-based Prestige Auto Group, according to records from the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office and an announcement from the firm that brokered the sale.
Auditor’s records show that Columbiana Ford’s building and accompanying 3.2 acres sold for $4.5 million to Columbiana Enterprises LLC. The newly listed tax address for the property matches that of George Albanna, owner of Prestige Auto.
The transaction was recorded Feb. 9.
The Ford dealership had been owned by Pillar Automotive since 2021, according to a news item posted by Performance Brokerage Services, which facilitated the sale. Pillar Automotive also owns Salem Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Grove City Ford in Mercer County, Pa.
It is Prestige Automotive’s first new-vehicle dealership acquisition, Performance Brokerage said. The dealership will be renamed Prestige Ford and will remain at its current location, according to the announcement.
Prestige currently owns two used-car dealerships in Tallmadage and Cuyahoga Falls, according to its website.
“This is an exciting milestone, and we couldn’t be happier for George as he takes this next step in his career,” said Performance Brokerage’s Mark Shackelford Sr. “He brings strong leadership, passion and vision to the store, and we wish him tremendous success as he begins this new chapter in Columbiana. We would also like to thank Pillar Automotive for the opportunity to work with them on the sale of Columbiana Ford.”
Over the past five years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of nearly 450 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America.
Pictured at top: From left are Mark Shackelford Jr., Mark Shackelford Sr. and George Albanna.