The business was founded in 1968 as Holiday Cars bought and sold a variety of used cars and trucks. In 1971, that business became Faribo Auto Sales and was housed in a two-room, log-cabin style building in the northeast corner of Highways 21 and 60 (the site that is now Kentucky Fried Chicken). Repair work, if needed, was done by a local mechanic a few blocks away. In 1977, Harry Brown acquired the Dodge franchise named Faribo Dodge, located on Second Street in downtown Faribault. The dealership carried new Dodges and used vehicles, as well as service and parts. In 1978, Harry purchased Bob and Don’s Auto located on Highway 60, a used vehicle dealership.
In 1982, Harry Brown had the opportunity to acquire the Pontiac, Oldsmobile & Cadillac franchises from a local dealer going out of business, and did so. That part of his business took over the location on Highway 60 (next door to the Eagle’s Club), becoming Harry Brown’s Pontiac-Oldsmobile-Cadillac.
In 1985, construction began on a new building at the site that is now Harry Brown’s General Motors, and the GMC Truck franchise was added. A state-of-the-art facility was built, with showroom and sales, office, parts, and service areas. A body shop was started and was housed in a Quonset building at the rear of the new property. Many times, we wondered what we could possibly do with “all this space”! Once the move to the new facility was complete in early 1986, the dealership became Harry Brown’s Pontiac-Oldsmobile-Cadillac-GMC Truck, and Faribo Dodge was moved from downtown to the vacant space on Highway 60.
In 1991, plans were made to merge the two sales locations, and in April 1992, Faribo Dodge officially became part of Harry Brown’s. The property to the west of Harry Brown’s (known to some as the Kelly building) was remodeled and the front half became a new space for the body shop. The body shop moved into their new space and began handling car and van rentals, and the Quonset building was converted into car detailing space.
In 1999, the detail department moved into its new home at the rear of the body shop. Express Car Wash was added, providing a touchless car washing system to both the dealership for private use, and for our customers’ public use. In 2001, Harry Brown’s acquired the local Chevrolet, Buick, Chrysler, and Jeep franchises. The ProShop also began its operation, offering accessories, parts installations, and window tinting.
ABRA Auto Body & Glass became part of the Harry Brown’s family in 2007, in a state-of-the-art auto body facility.
In 2012, we expanded to include an in-house leasing company, Minnesota Commercial Finance. The GM Facilities and Chrysler showroom were expanded, and in 2015, used vehicle service operations moved to the former Chrysler building.
Faribault Tire and Auto were acquired in July of 2021. It was renamed Faribault Tire and Express Service and provided another eight service bays with over 9000 square feet to expand the campus.
As of today, the campus sprawls along Highway 60 over 10 acres, employing around 100 people. It is second generation owned and operated, with the third generation having a large presence in various departments as well.
