Two decades-old signs came down Aug. 2, officially marking Burt Automotive’s sale of its Toyota Scion and Subaru dealerships to Summit Automotive, largely owned by sports franchise owner George Gillett and veteran auto dealer Rob Buscher.

For months, it has been rumored the two dealerships located on South Broadway were available for purchase.

The announcement came late last week and the signs were changed Aug. 2 and the dealerships reopened Aug. 3 as Groove Toyota and Groove Subaru.

Burt Automotive stated in a press release that the company was dramatically shifting away from traditional car dealing with the future focus on fuel-efficient vehicles.

Burt Automotive began as Burt Chevrolet 70 years ago with a single dealership at 3300 S. Broadway. In 1964, the company moved to 5200 S. Broadway and later expanded to 5300 and 5460 S. Broadway. Growth continued in 1966 when the dealership began selling Toyotas and in 1970 added Subaru to the line of new vehicles available from Burt Automotive.

Time Magazine named Burt Automotive its Auto Dealer of the Year in 1982.