The Car Store, located at 63 US Route 5 South in Norwich, VT, is your premier retailer of new and used Subaru vehicles. Our dedicated sales staff and top-trained technicians are here to make your auto shopping experience fun, easy and financially advantageous. Please utilize our various online resources and allow our excellent network of people to put you in your ideal Subaru vehicle or the Pre-Owned car, truck or SUV of your dreams today!

The company was founded in 1950 as Southworth's garage by James Southworth on Elm Street in a building behind the Norwich Post Office. The company motto was "Southworth's for Service!".  It is our continuing goal to offer the best service possible in serving their transportation needs.

 Starting with two employees, a successful service and body shop operation was developed. In the early 1960's a major fire destroyed most of the Elm Street building, but temporary space was leased. With the support and encouragement of our customers, the business was able to rebuild and continue successfully.

 In 1964 the company became a franchised new car dealer with Chrysler and Plymouth. In 1969 a move was made to the current location on Route 5 in Norwich, Vermont and Land Rover, Peugeot, Subaru and Mazda were added over the years. Land Rover and Peugeot were phased out by 1978. With a broad selection of cars and trucks, it was about this time that the business became known throughout the Upper Valley area as "The Car Store."

 In 1983 it was decided to add the Dodge line of cars and trucks to the franchise which resulted in the phasing out of Chrysler and Plymouth. 1983 was also the year that James Southworth sold Southworth's Garage to long time employee Charles Ffolliott. At the time of the sale, the company was officially renamed The Car Store.

  In 1985 The Car Store opened a second location on Route 120 in Lebanon, New Hampshire and moved the Dodge and Mazda franchises there. The company operated from both locations until 1994, when the Lebanon location and franchises were sold to the Miller Auto Group.

 In 1996, The Car Store was honored with the presentation of The Governor's Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Award. The award recognizes the efforts and success of The Car Store in environmentally safe practices, education and awareness.

In March 2003, The Car Store received its Certificate of Approval to operate as an American Automobile Association (AAA) repair facility. The certification requirements included the areas of customer service, facility appearance, staff qualifications and training, community reputation, equipment and scope of service and repairs.

The Car Store was certified as a "Stellar Performer" by Subaru of America in December of 2003. The employees and management of The Car Store worked together with their customers in 46 different areas to meet Subaru's stringent requirements and proved with certification that they are in fact "Stellar Performers."

During the Spring of 2010 The Car Store again expanded by extending its hours of operation to seven days a week for both the sales and automotive repair facility.  The extended hours allow The Car Store to better serve the surrounding community as its priorities and needs change to meet our demanding times.

 Today, The Car Store operates a thriving Subaru franchise, one of the largest in New England and the oldest in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.  Currently, The Car Store employs 35 people, most of who are currently working toward or are already Subaru Certified and trained in their various disciplines. The Car Store is a participating member of The Better Business Bureau, The National and Vermont Automobile Dealers Associations, The American Society of Automotive Engineers and The Automotive Service Association. The Car Store sells and services not only the Subaru brand but also previously owned vehicles of every make and provides service for all makes and models. Service and Sales staff are available At The Car Store Monday through Saturday, with service available by appointment as well as on a "drive-in" basis.