Donnell acquires Loudon in Salem

SALEM — David Flynn, the owner of Donnell Ford in Boardman and other dealerships, has acquired Loudon Ford Lincoln Mercury here.

The dealership, on Continental Drive, now operates as Donnell Ford Lincoln Mercury of Salem. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed.

A.J. Loudon Co. has operated the Salem dealership for 80 years. It was founded by A.J. Loudon in Hanoverton in 1926.

The business was passed on to his son, Henry Loudon, in the mid-1950s. In 1969, the Ford part of the dealership moved to Salem and was joined by the Lincoln and Mercury franchises two years later.

Pat Morris, Donnell advertising director, said the acquisition brings the Lincoln and Mercury lines to the company for the first time.

Flynn also owns Columbiana Buick Cadillac Chevrolet in Columbiana, Power Pontiac GMC Buick Chevrolet in Calcutta, Performance GMC in New Waterford, and The Honda Store in Boardman.

Lester Donnell founded Donnell Ford on Market Street in Youngstown in 1925. He moved the dealership to Delason Avenue in 1935 and then to its current site at 7955 Market in Boardman in 1976.

Donnell died in 1981, and the dealership was acquired by Flynn in 1982.