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Hecker Employee Learned Of Layoff From Coworker

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Nov 22, 2008 6:51 pm US/Central

Hecker Employee Learned Of Layoff From Coworker

Reporting
John Lauritsen
(WCCO) About 400 people are without jobs after auto dealer Denny Hecker announced he would close stores across the Twin Cities. Six of Hecker's dealerships have closed and three others were sold.

The store closings are in Blaine, Forest Lake, Monticello, Roseville, Shakopee and Stillwater. Hecker sold two other Twin Cities dealerships in Inver Grove Heights.

For seven years Chris Terhark worked as a salesman for Denny Hecker and he has a lot to show for it. During his time at Hecker's Inver Grove Heights location, Terhark was the top car salesmen on average about nine months every year. But while he never took 'no' for an answer, Friday night he learned he no longer had a job.

"I didn't get a call from anybody from above. I got a call from an employee. Tells me not to come in today," said Terhark.

Terhark said he planned on going to work Saturday morning until he got that call. Then he received a confirmation letter in the mail.

"The layoff is expected to be permanent so your employment will be terminated and there are no job bumping rights to be exercised for any other jobs," said Terhark, reading the letter sent from Denny Hecker.

The Rosedale store is one of 11 that have closed in Minnesota over the past couple months, including Hecker's other dealerships. Steve Lambert of the Auto Dealers Association said the more stores that close, the more competitive the auto business becomes.

"Business is so difficult right now. I hope these folks can find jobs, but I think it might be hard for them," said Lambert.

Terhark is already starting to look. He has even thought of going back to school if he can't find a job. One thing he won't do is point a finger at Denny Hecker.

"I'm not going to point fingers at anybody because, what do you do? We haven't sold cars," said Terhark.

He said his dealership went from selling as many as 190 cars a month to about 20 cars a month. He blames the economy for that.

The cars left on the lot at Hecker's stores will go to other Denny Hecker dealerships or back to the manufacturer.

Customers who are affected by the shutdown of the dealerships can contact them by e-mail at customer@dennyhecker.com. Customers can also call toll free at 1-888-836-8383 for more information.

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© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.