Trader Joe?

[IFallsRon]

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer sure can hit a baseball, but can he sell cars?

Mauer has purchased the site of Southview Chevrolet in Inver Grove Heights for about $4.5 million, according to his grandfather, Jake Mauer.

Denny Hecker used to operate Southview Chevrolet, but closed it earlier this year as his auto empire collapsed.

Joe Mauer hopes to re-open the dealership, with his brother, Bill, running the day-to-day operations. Bill Mauer was a sales manager at the dealership when Hecker still operated it.

Although Joe Mauer has acquired the building and the land it sits on, he does not have an agreement from General Motors Corp. (GM) to reopen the Chevrolet franchise there. Detroit-based GM, which previously rejected Walser Automotive Group’s bid to acquire the dealership, declined to comment on its plans for the site.

If the Mauers do not receive approval for the Chevrolet franchise, they will sell used cars instead, Jake Mauer said. The dealership is scheduled to open Oct. 1.

Auto sales have struggled in the recession, but Joe Mauer has the resources to support the dealership until business improves. He’s making $10.5 million this season in the third year of a four-year, $33 million contract. He’s expected to command an annual salary of more than $20 million on his next multiyear deal.

[HOT SPOT]

Good for him. Hopefully it does well and will be one more reason for him to stay in MN

[zamboni]

This says Joe is "not involved":

http://www.twincities.com/ci_13366584?source=most_viewed

[SledNeck]

Joe Mauer TOYOTA/LEXUS has a good ring to it