Dealer Spotlight: Brookside Hardware & Auto Sales

A 30-Year Partnership with State Line Auto Auction

At State Line Auto Auction, long-standing relationships are just as important as the vehicles that cross the auction block each week. One of those relationships is with Brookside Hardware & Auto Sales of Margaretville, New York - a family-owned business that has worked with State Line for more than 30 years.

We recently spoke with owners Will and Tracy to learn more about their business, their history, and what has kept them coming back to State Line Auto Auction year after year.

A Small Business with a Big Presence

Brookside Hardware & Auto Sales is truly a one-of-a-kind operation. Known locally for their hardware store, they also maintain a used vehicle lot with around 50 cars at any given time.

“We’re small in size, but we deal in big opportunities,” Will shared. “The hardware store is our main business, but we really enjoy selling vehicles too. It’s a good balance for us and for our community.”

Successfully operating both a hardware store and a vehicle business under one roof takes dedication, hard work, and strong relationships - values that have guided Brookside for decades.

A Relationship Built Over 30 Years

Brookside Hardware & Auto Sales has been doing business with State Line Auto Auction for more than three decades.

“It’s been a husband-and-wife operation on our end, and working with another family-owned business just made sense from the beginning,” Will explained.

Over the years, that professional relationship has grown into something deeper - built on trust, consistency, and mutual respect.

Why Loyalty Matters: Family First

When asked why they’ve remained loyal to State Line Auto Auction for so long, Will’s answer was immediate.

“Being a family-run business makes all the difference,” he said. “They treated us like family from the day we met them. It’s not just business - it’s personal.”

That sense of care, Will noted, extends to the next generation of leadership at State Line as well.

“Jeff’s kids are cut from the same cloth. They’d do anything to help someone. You can feel that in everything they do.”

In an industry where many auctions focus strictly on volume, Brookside values State Line’s commitment to people just as much as the vehicles.

Going Above and Beyond

Some of the most meaningful moments in this partnership came during difficult times.

“Eighteen years ago, our business burned to the ground,” Will shared. “Jeff Barber was the very first person to call me. He told me not to give up, to rebuild, and that when I was ready, he’d help me keep the business going.”

Another moment stands out just as clearly.

“During one of the auctions, my wife had a medical emergency and had to be taken by ambulance,” Will recalled. “Jeff called and put us up in a hotel near the hospital and told us to stay as long as we needed. He even said if we needed a vehicle or anything else, he’d bring it to us.”

“That’s not just business,” Will said. “That’s family.”

Advice for Other Dealers

For dealers considering working with State Line Auto Auction for the first time, Will’s advice is simple.

“They’ve found the best,” he said. “They’re lucky - and they’ll keep coming back, just like we have for over 30 years.”