BEEP BEEP. Markquart Motors has been a family-driven business for nearly 50 years, and Charlee Markquart attributes that longevity to its homegrown roots.

Three generations have built a strong association between the Markquart name and easy, personable car sales in the Chippewa Valley over the past 50 years. Lee Markquart came to Eau Claire in 1970 to open a dealership – it’s where he put down strong roots and raised his children as he expanded services out into Hallie. His family followed in his footsteps both in the car sales business and in their dedication to the community. Charlee, part of the fourth generation in the car business, grew up loving the artistic and musical culture of the area, and the sense of connectedness that holds Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Hallie, and Menomonie together.

There’s not a lot of shenanigans with us. 
– Charlee Markquart, Markquart of Menomonie

Markquart opened a new location in Menomonie in May, with Charlee as part owner. With them they’ve brought a seasoned staff, a vast inventory of Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, and Fiat cars, and a sincere dedication to making the car buying process as simple as possible.

“There’s not a lot of shenanigans with us,” Charlee said. Every step of finding and buying the perfect ride is as easy as possible. Shoppers can complete the entire purchasing process online using Markquart’s simple online system – from asking questions to checking out 360 degree views of the exterior and interior of the vehicle – or stop by the dealership to chat with the same salesperson they worked with on the web. Markquart doesn’t use a commission structure; salespeople are paid the same whether they sell an expensive vehicle or an affordable one, meaning they have the flexibility to work with customers to find the best fit for them.

Markquart marched with the Mustangs in the high school homecoming parade for the first time this year, tossing candy from a few maroon cars decorated with gold streamers and dancing along to the marching band.

“We’ll take time to form real relationships with organizations here,” Charlee said. That means developing friendships with the high school, with UW-Stout, and with service organizations. Markquart historically does work with the Boys and Girls Club and with United Way, and is getting familiar with Menomonie groups to determine where support is needed.

Charlee recalls his grandfather’s old television advertisements, which ran in the ‘90s and didn’t feature a single vehicle. Lee Markquart sat in his office, meeting viewers’ gaze through the camera, and told locals why they should do business with him: he said they were honest, caring, and here to help. Charlee was teased mercilessly in elementary school for his connection with the man on TV, but in time he grew to understand the sentiment behind the ads.

“This is the Midwest,” he said. “This is just regular folks trying to be kind to each other and get through life.” He believes his grandfather tapped into that, and that Markquart of Menomonie lives those values to this day.