On Monday, June 17, 2024, a small groundbreaking ceremony took place at the corner of Hanes Road and Ott Drive, the future location of Festing Toyota. The new 24,000-square-foot facility is scheduled for completion in the Summer of 2025.
Morry Edelstein (RAI Architects Inc.), the project’s head architect, Joe Voisin (Pinestone Engineering), Nick Scarlett (HLD Corporation), and John Gallagher (JPG and Associates) have been working hard to bring this day to fruition.
Rob Pagetto of ROB ON THE ROAD from The Region – 105.9FM emceed the event as MPP Graydon Smith and Huntsville Deputy Mayor Dan Armour joined Scott Festing and Michelle Harvey (owners of Festing Toyota) along with Toyota Canada Inc. representatives Robert Tsang (Director, Toyota Sales and Field Operations), Steve Pilkey (Director, Parts Operations and Service Retention), and Randy Green (Dealer Development Manager) for the event. Other attendees included additional Toyota Canada representatives, Bayshore Broadcasting, Hunters Bay Radio, and MOOSE FM radio representatives, Huntsville Doppler and Metroland Media representatives, and Festing Toyota team members.
Festing Toyota has been servicing the community’s vehicle needs in Huntsville for over 40 years.
A group photo (of those who are not camera shy) of all those in attendance at the Festing Toyota groundbreaking ceremony held June 17, 2025.
Vern Festing introduced the Toyota brand to Muskoka when he opened Festing Toyota on Highway 60 in 1981. From those humble beginnings, Festing Toyota quickly became a reputable and successful company. Having outgrown that location, it moved to 69 Centre Street North in 1988. Continued success meant an expansion at that same location in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Vern passed away suddenly, and the next generation (Scott and Michelle) took the company to the next level.
With over 20 employees and limited parking, Festing Toyota’s success continued, and it became evident that another expansion was required. Neighbouring properties were purchased in 2013 with that in mind, and in 2022, work began to plan yet another expansion.
Those plans came to a halt almost a year ago when the opportunity to move to the Hanes Road location became a reality.
The new location will see the business grow from its current 8,000 square feet to a 24,000 square foot facility and create additional jobs in 2025.
Groundwork has started at the new location on Hanes Road, and plans are to open the new dealership for business in the summer of 2025.
This is a clear commitment of the Festing family, which believes in the community and the Toyota brand. They know that this new building, together with the team they’re putting in place, will improve the overall customer experience for many years to come.
“We’re very excited to start the actual building. The groundwork is all done, and all the utilities and everything are in the ground already, so now it’s just the building that needs to go up. The building permit should come through this week, we’re hoping, and once it comes through, then we’re going to be starting the actual building,” said Harvey.
She said the original idea was to expand where Festing Toyota is currently located, but when the new site came up for sale, it was a better location for the dealership. She said the former site would probably house another dealership or end up being turned into a residential/commercial use.
Both Armour and Smith congratulated the family on their new location and expansion. Armour said the expansion is a great day for Huntsville. ‘We’re lucky here in Huntsville to have them,” said Armour.
Festing Toyota also thanked the community for its ongoing support and said it looks forward to continuing to serve the community now and in the future.
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