Wilson Auto Group Gives Big for Holidays, Big Stores, Boutiques at Woodbury Town Center

Christopher Gardner, the inspiration for the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” left the Orange County Auto Dealers Association’s annual meeting a happy man.

He drove to the airport in a borrowed orange Lamborghini LP 640. Gardner was the guest speaker at the meeting held recently at Joe’s Garage at the Tustin Auto Mall.

Gardner was appreciative of the loaner car. His speech’s opening words: “I just met two women named Sossi and Nora, who gave me the keys to a Lamborghini,” he said, referring to sisters Nora and Sossi Keuylian, co-owners of Lamborghini Orange County. “You have no idea.”

In the movie, a red Ferrari spurred Gardner to become a stockbroker.

You’ve got to hand it to the Keuylians. Maybe that’s why their dealership outsold all the other Lamborghini dealers in 2006, selling 130 cars.

For those who haven’t seen the movie (including me), Gardner was homeless at one point with his then 2-year-old son while he tried to break into Wall Street. In the end, he made millions. He still keeps a room in his house filled with bags, a reminder of his homeless days.

“I can not throw a bag away,” he said.

How did he get homeless? “Life happens,” he said.

The story’s more intense and complex, of course. But you’ll have to see the movie. The dealers left with signed copies of Gardner’s book, “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

Gardner, who now has fame to go along with money and more offers than he can consider, didn’t rush in at the last minute to speak when it was his turn. He showed up early, humbly mingled and ate lunch with the dealers. He also stuck around and answered questions.

Dressed like a million bucks in a gray suit and pink shirt with a hot pink hankie in his pocket, he told his rags to riches story. Gardner’s message perhaps wasn’t one the dealers were expecting: Be a good father by being present. He said even though he and his son were homeless for a time, he was always there.

“We were together every day,” he said.

That’s the part his now 6-foot, 8-inch 290-pound son remembers, he said. Gardner also has a daughter.

“Being a man is being responsible,” he said.

Gardner, who had an abusive stepfather, decided at age 5 to be a different kind of father. His mission was “to break the cycle of men who are not there for their children,” he said.

“Some of you guys in here might have the opportunity to do the same thing,” he said.

In association business at the meeting, out with the old, in with the new—president, that is. Mark Parkinson takes over from Mark Dershem as head of the association.

The association gave $50,000 to 49 pro-dealer political candidates in OC, of which 81% went on to win, according to the group.

The annual Orange County Auto Show in October saw a double-digit increase in attendance, according to the association. The group also boasted its sales and marketing training, a program that recruits and trains students to work at local dealerships. Students attend for free. Dealers pay $250 a month.

Wilson Donation

Wilson Automotive Group, an Orange-based chain of 16 dealerships, recently gave more than $255,000 to local charities.

“All from the pockets of employees. That’s why it’s so remarkable,” said Vikki Murphy, a Wilson vice president.

Every year the company sends out a letter that says in lieu of gifts to managers or owner David Wilson, please donate to charities, she said. The company’s employees donate some of the money to the David Wilson Endowment Fund, which helps out the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

Wilson and the company do their share, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. One of its recent contributions was $2 million for Wilson Field at Chapman University.

New Shopping Center

The 450,000-square-foot Woodbury Town Center recently opened at Irvine Boulevard and Sand Canyon Avenue with Staples and Home Depot. Another main store, Trader Joe’s, is set to open later this year.

Woodbury Town Center’s European-inspired architecture has received design awards.

Other stores that have opened include Panera Bread, Starbucks, Hoag Health Center, Sports Clips and Yakety Yak Wireless.

Planned to open soon: El Pollo Loco, Walgreens, Piccomolo, Nail & Spa Co., Thai Spice and GNC. This spring and summer: Chick-fil-A, Rock N’ Road Cyclery and Ralphs Fresh Fare.

Brick and Mortar

Pink Mascara, an online boutique, is set to open its first store at Woodbury Town Center. Pinkmascara.com, run by mother and daughter team Carol and Renee McCracken, began selling handbags online in 2002.

In 2004, the McCrackens opened a showroom/warehouse in Costa Mesa. Carol handles operations. Renee is the buyer. They’ve since expanded their product offerings to include shoes and other items.

The Pink Mascara boutique plans to sell brands such as Ya-Ya Clothing, Joe’s Jeans, Rebecca Taylor, Splendid and Kooba.