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Brodhead businesses change ownerships

BRODHEAD — The local weekly newspaper and car dealership, both long-time family-owned businesses in Brodhead, now are under new ownership.

But readers won’t see any changes in the newspaper, and dealership customers can expect some improvements, the new owners said.

Selling The Independent Register to Rock Valley Publishing was a tough decision for Kim Markham, whose family has run the newspaper for 82 years.

“It was just getting really difficult financially to make it,” he said. “It was a very hard decision.”

Rock Valley Publishing is an Illinois-based company that owns weekly and monthly newspapers in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois as well as running a publishing company. The Clinton Topper and The Sharon Reporter are among other area newspapers Rock Valley produces.

The newspaper will remain in its downtown office, and Markham remains owner and manager of the printing company, Register Print Center, he said.

Randy Johnson, the new general manager of the paper, said readers won’t see any changes.

Meanwhile, Larry and Karen Ayres had been looking for a buyer of their Ayres Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick dealership. The couple are retiring after selling the dealership to Jim Bozich of Woodstock, Ill. He owns several dealerships in Wisconsin and Illinois, including Evansville Ford.

Larry and Karen Ayres ran the business for the last 36 years, and it was in the family for a total of 74 years, Karen said.

Tom Dulaney, new general manager of the re-named Brodhead Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick, said the dealership is expanding its inventory, services and hours.

“We’re trying to be a little bit bigger dealer but still keep it a small-town atmosphere,” he said.

The dealer retains its staff and will have a better inventory because vehicles can be brought in from any of the 17 stores under the same owner, he said.

Another change in Brodhead businesses comes at the hands of the struggling economy.

Lenny Speth, owner of Speth’s, a popular restaurant in the downtown square, said he will close his business Sunday, Nov. 30.

“The last year’s been tough,” he said.