Lattof Chevy in Arlington Heights to close Oct. 10

After more than 70 years, Lattof Chevrolet will close its doors on Oct. 10. The Arlington Heights staple won't be passed on to a fourth generation.

Owner Al Lattof faced a gut-wrenching decision, he said Wednesday. But it was a necessary one for the award-winning company that had catered to consumers, school districts and businesses throughout the region since 1936.

Lattof decided to accept GM's program to buy out dealerships nationwide to reduce the number of outlets selling its famed Corvettes, Impalas, Malibus and other models. Lattof declined to discuss the terms of the deal.

"It was an agonizing decision," said Lattof, 47. "It was tough, not just about what to do with my family, but with the family we have here (at the company). We have some employees who have been here for many years."

About 75 employees were told Tuesday that the business would be bought by GM and then immediately closed. All inventory will be specially priced for quick sale in the remaining weeks.

Tom Rominski, 50, of Palatine has worked for the company for 32 years and now is fixed-operations director overseeing the service, parts and body shop departments. He said he's seen many dealers in the area come and go, but always thought Lattof would have stayed.

"It was a shock," said Rominski. "I'm pretty upset."

Lattof said the decision to close the dealership had little to do with the economy and more to do with the future for him and his family.

"I'm also at the same age that my father (Warren) was when he became ill," Lattof said.

While he still has good health, Lattof and his wife Janet and their two children plan to take life in a new direction. He said he may open another business, possibly in the energy field, but declined to provide specifics.

But the reach of the Lattof family stretches deep in the community, starting in 1936.

Al Lattof's grandparents Nick and Olga Lattof had the choice of either opening a Ben Franklin department store or a Chevrolet dealership in town. They opened the dealership at Arlington Heights Road and Miner and later moved to the downtown area. Its third and final move was in 1958 to 800 E. Northwest Highway.

Their son, Warren, soon took over, and Al Lattof remembers starting his own career at the family business as a high school student tarring the roof.

"My dad joked, saying that I started at the top and moved my way down," Lattof said.

He went away to Colorado College in Colorado Springs, earned his bachelor's degree in business and returned home. His first job after college was working with computers when Apple first debuted.

But by 1983, Al Lattof returned to the family business and eventually worked his way up to its leadership.

The dealership has since earned several corporate awards, including placing in the Top 10 in recent years for selling the most performance parts used in race cars, antique show cars, boats and planes.

His family has also been honored in many ways in the area, including its namesake YMCA in Mount Prospect.

The Lattof family is a rarity in the Northwest suburbs, said Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder.

Not only are they a third-generation Arlington Heights family, but the Latofs are very involved in the community, she said.

"They are the heart and soul of Arlington Heights," Mulder said. "And not just for their car dealership but for their philanthropic work with the (Northwest Community) hospital and Clearbrook center."

A few years ago, the Lattof family let a charity for the homeless use their showroom for an art auction, Mulder recalled.

"There was Al (Lattof) keeping the pop cold and lugging out the ice," she said.

Now the village will have to try to fill the soon-to-be-vacant spot at 800 E. Northwest Highway.

"It's a very, very good site, but these are challenging times," Mulder said. "We hope to get something in here as soon as the economy will allow."

Daily Herald reporter Sheila Ahern contributed to this story.