By James Feichtner
State Road 37 has come a long way in becoming a thriving corridor for business growth and very few businesses have witnessed its growth like Don Hinds Ford. Opening in 1955, this year marks their 60th anniversary. When they decided to relocate to their current location at 126th Street and SR 37, the area around them was practically deserted.
“It was just about the first anything,” Don Hinds Ford owner Bud Colglazier said. “When we bought this property in 1988 the only thing down here (on SR 37) was Reynold’s John Deer. There were no stoplights, there were no flashers and the only stoplight was at (Highway) 238 and SR 37 in Noblesville.”
As part of their agreement to relocate, Don Hinds actually had to help develop 126th Street.
“We actually rebuilt 126th Street as part of our agreement for impact fees. 126th Street was a little county road. It’s that size today because we build it that way in 88 and 89,” Colglazier said.
Colgalzier, whose step-father was Don Hinds, said when they originally relocated to the 16 acre property it was a Noblesville address, but Fishers’ rapid growth soon annexed the property.
“We really didn’t think we were leaving Noblesville, we thought we were relocating,” Colglazier said. “By the time we got going and ready to build, Fishers had annexed the area and we became part of Fishers.”
The benefit of Don Hinds being annexed into Fishers meant an introduction to a new market while retaining much of its Noblesville clientele.
“It was easier to retain our Noblesville clientele and enjoy the added benefit of an exploding Fishers market,” Colglazier said. “Now our Noblesville and Fishers market are about even. They’re our two largest markets.”
Today, Don Hinds has grown to three campuses on 16 acres and increased its staff size from approximately 15 to 130. It is currently the third largest Ford dealer in the state.
