Editor
The two buildings in the village of Batavia formerly owned by Emmett Creager, owner of Creager Tire and Muffler, were sold in an auction in September.
Creager, known to family and friends as Leroy, died on April 4, 2015, after owning the business since 1965. He owned the properties at 52 S. Market St. and 35 S. Market St.
Dave Lewis, owner and auctioneer for Lewis Auctioneering, sold both properties on Sept. 17, the sale of the property at 35 S. Market closed Oct. 5 and the sale of the property at 52 S. Market closed Oct. 24.
Richard Crocker and John Malicoat purchased 52 S. Market for $65,000 from Lexie Creager, Emmett Creager’s wife. Crocker, of Batavia, attended the auction to purchase items to resell at his business, Crocker Auto Parts, which is located at 4642 Shephard Road in Batavia.
However, he couldn’t pass up the deal.
“I got a pretty decent bargain,” Crocker said.
He added, “We just bought it for the investment.
Crocker and his friend, Malicoat, purchased it together. He has no intention to move his business to that location.
“We hope to rent it out, possibly resell it in the future,” Crocker said.
He has already had some interest in renting.
A similar business to Creager Tire and Muffler will likely move in there, Crocker said, adding that he’s not sure what else could go in there.
Lloyd Montag, of Georgetown, purchased the building at 35 S. Market St. for $60,000, also from Lexie Creager. He came to the auction to look at that building, which he plans to use as storage.
“I live in a small house and I need a place to go with [my stuff],” Montag said.
There is a small office space in the front of the building that Montag is considering renting out eventually.
He likes that the building is centrally located and is considering purchasing a house in the area.
Montag has items like a motor home, boats and vehicles he plans to store in the building. He may also rent some storage space, as people have already asked about it, but he isn’t sure yet.