Oct. 12--One of Virginia's few Porsche sales and maintenance shops might move from Staunton to downtown Waynesboro, bringing along an energetic clientele and "marquee-type" reputation, city officials say.

The owners of G&W Motorwerkes on Greenville Avenue in Staunton recently applied to the city of Waynesboro for a conditional use permit to "relocate our auto sales, service and restoration operation" to the recently vacated Grand Home Furnishings building at 518 W. Main St.

G&W, a family-owned firm known by Porsche enthusiasts across the state, preserves and sells mostly Porsche classics. Owners Weldon and Phyllis Scrogham have operated in Waynesboro, Augusta County and Staunton for decades.

The company's potential move will be open for public discussion at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday during a Waynesboro City Council meeting.

"We're excited about their application and interest," Assistant City Manager Jim Shaw said. "They would be great downtown residents."

Shaw said G&W and the Scroghams would bring vitality to downtown with their "fabulous automobiles."

A city staff report recommends the City Council approve the permit for the shop, which would "create an attractive, interesting sight for window shoppers."

The staff report recommends the city impose three conditions: that all repair work and storage be contained in the building, that no major painting or body work be performed on site and that the permit only be used by G&W.

The report indicates sufficient space for a showroom and the Scroghams' intentions to immediately renovate portions of the interior.

The owners declined to discuss the possible move.

G&W is one of five dealers specializing in Porsche cars in the state, said Michael Allen, a spokesman for the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association. Most are located in the northern and eastern parts of the state, making G&W a pivotal Porsche shop in the south and west.

A dealership in Charlottesville also recently began selling Porsche, though not exclusively.

Allen said luxury dealerships act as "destination points." Shoppers make special trips and frequently spend additional time and money at neighboring businesses.

Porsche dealerships are rarely located in "motor miles," he said.

The city's report states car dealerships would not typically be desirable downtown.

"The proposed use is not a typical car dealership," the report states, adding that the move would be an "excellent opportunity to reoccupy this building."

Allen said Porsche sales in the state declined by a fourth from 2007 to 2008, but that dip was less severe than general car sales.

Energy still abounds among Porsche owners, said Shenandoah Region Porsche Club of America President Bill Sanders.

"I think membership, at least in our region, has been steady," he said. "It's growing two or three members a month, from brand new members and some transferring in."

Sanders called G&W's Staunton facility "beautiful."

"If they're doing something in Waynesboro, I'm sure it will be excellent," he said.

Also scheduled for a public hearing Wednesday is a conditional use permit application submitted by the owner of Malls Mart that requests permission to open a used-car dealership at 317 E. Main St., next to Tastee Freeze.

Hearing

The Waynesboro City Council will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers at 503 W. Main St. to receive comments on conditional use permit applications for Staunton-based G&W Motorwerkes to relocate to 518 W. Main St., and for a used-car dealership to open at 317 E. Main St.

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Copyright (c) 2009, The News Virginian, Waynesboro, Va.

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