For the first time in more than 60 years, Melody Motors in Melfort will have a new owner.
Prince Albert businessman Mark and Tori Ripley and business partner Malcolm Jenkins announced the purchase of the business from the Madraga family on Sept. 30. The Madraga’s had owned the business since the 1960s.
“It was just an opportunity to get on my own,” Ripley said in an interview with the Daily Herald. “Honestly, that’s all it is, and to maybe expand what we’re doing and continue to sell some cars, service people, and give back to the community.”
Ripley previously had a minority ownership stake with partners AutoCanada in the Mann-Northway dealership in Prince Albert. Ripley partnered with the organization for 16 years, including the last five in Prince Albert, but said he wanted to expand and get out on his own.
“It was a great, great five years in the community,” Ripley said, reflecting on his time in Prince Albert. “It’s bittersweet, honestly.”
Ripley and his wife looked at several opportunities around Canada before settling on Melody Motors. He said the Madraga family built a great operating business with a strong reputation in the community, which made purchasing it an attractive option.
“You didn’t have to come in and re-invent the wheel,” Ripley said.
“It really lined up with who we are as people, and we started down the road to the point where we ended up buying the store, and along the way, my good friend Malcolm Jenkins had just retired, and he’s come in and partnered in on the properties with me,” he added. “We were able to buy the properties and the business, so it’s been a great ride. We’re super excited and couldn’t be happier to be in Melfort.”
Jenkins, the former Associate Dealer of Prince Albert’s Canadian Tire, retired roughly one year ago, but said the opportunity to partner with Ripley on Melody Motors was too good to pass up.
“I hope that (residents) will visit the New Car Guys in Melfort and give us the great support to help make things happen in Melfort and North Central Saskatchewan,” Jenkins said in a press release.
Both Ripley and Jenkins made donations and sponsorships for local community groups a big part of their business when they operated in Prince Albert. Ripley said that trend will continue in Melfort.
@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca
