BY DIANE SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Tommy’s knows its customers and what vehicles its customers prefer. This comes from long-lasting, generational ties, selling cars and trucks to grandparents and parents, and finally putting their children into affordable used cars in Martin County.
Founded in 1967 by brothers Herb and Junior Maynard as a “junk” store in Beauty, the business that eventually became Tommy’s Auto Sales sold anything from washing machines to parts. After the two brothers went their separate business ways, Tommy Maynard Sr. saw an opportunity to benefit the community. Thus, began the journey of Tommy’s Auto Sales to establish itself as one of Eastern Kentucky’s largest car dealers.
“After Herb and my grandfather Junior left that business, my dad Tommy Sr. began selling cars,” said “Little Tommy” Maynard Jr., as he is known in Martin County. “We are a family of dealers.”
Tommy Jr. earned money selling his first vehicle at age 15, working alongside his father and learning the trade. What was initially three or four vehicles soon became 100, and so on.
Eventually, Tommy Jr. got the idea to close the location in Beauty and open Tommy’s Auto Sales on Blacklog Road in Inez. Just yards from Tommy’s Auto Sales, he opened Tommy’s Auto Mall, then opened a third location, Warfield Auto Outlet in Warfield.
“One of the reasons we’ve been successful is we don’t try to compete with bigger dealerships,” said Tommy Jr. “We’re trying to become the best buy-here dealership in our area. We care about our customers and they see that. We treat them like people and family.”
The Maynards also invest in the community and have been a soft touch for youth sports teams and community events.
Tommy Jr. said he likes working with family.
“You know you have somebody you can trust and depend on to pull their weight,” he said.
“We sell anywhere from 100 to 1,000 a year. That’s a lot. With the 100 years of experience between us all, that’s about 40,000 vehicles sold.”
Tommy’s has a huge stock of cars, trucks and SUVs. Customers can choose from Chevrolet, Ford, Mitsubishi, Kia, Toyota and many others.
Visit Tommy’s Auto Sales at 3175 Blacklog Road in Inez or call (606) 534-7500.
Check out Tommy’s Auto Mall next door at 3176 Blacklog Road, Inez, or phone (606) 534-3700.
Find Warfield Auto Outlet at 217 Riverfront Road, Warfield, or phone (606) 390-2373.
Follow all three locations on Facebook for a preview of inventory.