Dealerships and dealership licenses are rampant. Unfortunately, they have a bad reputation and typically cost cities money. For every gigantic $20 million dealership franchise that you see, there are 20 medium to small sized guys who are breaking laws and causing problems for local governments. Terrible business practices, placing the dollar over the client. Not honoring warranties and adjust generally zero sense of business. While Lucky MAY have the best intentions, he is in an industry, ripe with pissed off customers and failed models. Seems everybody with a couple of dollars in the bank thinks they can be a car dealer and it is reflected across the country. Look at any street corner and see the sign change with the next failure only 18 months behind it.
Please don’t give up. You and a handful (or more) of creators on RU-vid are intelligent, hardworking and passionate. As a Californian, it’s more frustrating for us to live through this and watch your empire being stepped on. It would be nice if you and the other creators (automotive and financial ) got together and developed something they can’t f***k with. We have faith you will build your dream.
Wait 9-to-12 months and try again. The politicians will be desperate for *any* businesses to open. By then Las Vegas, and the entire country, will be in a full-on economic depression.
I bought a skating rink and converted it into a wholesale tire distribution warehouse. The county made me do the same thing. I new it going in though. You ALWAYS have to bring a building up to current code when it changes hands.
I really Love the way you think 🤔! You have tons of “Street Smarts”. You and I have a lot in common regarding how we deal with things. I was a very successful full service Restaurant owner for over 32 years having 2 Restaurants for about 26 years. Life is good and now I’m retired and living in Paso Robles, California. Love your channel. Blessings, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊🇺🇸
Sorry that this fell through brother. I go to that area once a week because of the pizzeria that's down the street from that location. The politicians are all in this together, it's not for the small business owner, it's corporate.
Hello lucky, we went through the same thing in a rural area of a red state. One of the principles that made this country great was low barriers to entry for business. That has been killed. This is everywhere
You must be the same one that made up that saying about relationships, you know “if it doesn’t work out, set it free if it returns to you, it was meant to be, and if not, it wasn’t”. And there are sarcastic people that say the ending of that is “if it doesn’t return, hunt it down and kill it.”
It's very unfortunate we both know the sad news Dealerships are gonna be closing You're gonna find something better Be patient Brother That's one thing we learned in this business
My guess is that b/c he is applying for some sort of zoning variance they have him over the barrel for code updates. It's really frustrating, but at the same time city managers know they have very few opportunities to improve code conditions on a property, and they do make a huge difference over time. US has 80% fewer structural fires than in 1980 - almost all due to building code improvements. But doesn't take away from the fact that it sucks to be stuck in this situation.
Don’t forget, the unions are nice enough to hand, the pre-written codes to all of the American cities that will adopt them. Then the unions get paid to bring it up to code.
Keep fighting Lucky. You are serving the community every day! Check out the Southwest and the airport area. Lots of warehouses around. Your old place off of Decatur is also empty as are others on that street and Sahara. Must be some bankruptcies with properties attached somewhere around town. I’ll keep my eye out too!
Lucky, did your architect advise you to cite the International Existing Building Code? The city CANNOT force you to update to current codes if all you are doing is putting on a fresh coat of paint and stuff like that. There are three types of "alterations" defined within the IEBC. Nevada uses the International Code Council codes, so I know they can't just willy nilly force you to spend tons of money so long as they haven't condemned it due to health, safety, welfare concerns. Good luck and as you search for property, have your architect on retainer so you can have them do a quick zoning review on any properties you are getting serious about so they can warn you. If you ever expand to Utah, ring me up. I'm an architect in the SLC area. Best wishes!!!
Yes, unfortunately the city of Las Vegas likes to randomly bring up things that are not currently up to code and change requirements. Everything is open for interpretation, so whatever the benefits them is what they wanna do.
@@LuckyLopez777 , yeah, I've seen many cities be capricious like that. It's frustrating. Hopefully you can find a better site for your ambitions. Small dealers need the great education and support you and others more experienced are able to offer. The big behomoth dealerships would love nothing more to wipe you guys out of existence so they can charge their crazy high prices for everything, including what I always have noticed: that no matter what service I'm bringing my car in for, they always magically find $600-1000 worth of stuff they NEED to do for safety, even if I was just in a few weeks prior. Always upselling. That's why I prefer to deal with small dealers and mechanics who I get to know over time because they treat me right and not like an upsell.
@@huckfin1598, we have laws and codes for a reason. The IEBC defines what level of alteration requires upgrades. If a local building official wishes to override the code, they technically can, but they usually don't because their job is to enforce code, not make it up. The city council or state legislature can amend code, and maybe Las Vegas / Clark County have amended the IEBC in their area in away that is different than all the other jurisdictions I have worked in, but my guess is the comment to require upgrading all things to current code was either made by a lower level staffer who didn't know what they were talking about, or the scope of what Lucky was wanting to do involved more than just a fresh coat of paint. But sure, don't listen to me, I'm only a licensed architect, so just your typical idiot. Best wishes to you.
@@deivclayton yeah you are an idiot bc everything you just commented can be applied to what I just said. But you can’t say “they cannot force you to current code” YES THEY CAN
My pity goes to the owner. He has this 2 acres and building sitting empty with a willing tenant. He spent the money for the drawings, tried to conduct business in good faith and now has a building that he can't rent and is still paying taxes and upkeep. I wonder who else wants that building that is in the wings once the owner caves and decides to sell it?
Hey Lucky, I sympathies with you. If you have learned anything in your life I am sure you have learned to never quit. I have been where you are in my 68 years on the planet I once learned from this guy that was old like me now and when I was young like you. He told me his life policy was "Surrender or kill me" because I am not quitting and someday, you're going to need me and I will be there for you. You are a brilliant young man. Now is the time to dig in. Let them know who you are.
$10/hr translates to: "I'm not getting paid enough to do the job, so I am going to spend 39 hours/week streaming online and pretending to be busy and leave 1 hour just to check work emails and tackle on one task. They didn't even bother provide me proper employee training when I onboarded, so 99% of the time I don't know what I am doing"
You have good questions but your and the landlord should have gotten CO (certificate of occupancy) first. It’s a pretty basic (not simple, basic) step/requirement.
Thank you for this wonderful video! I have incurred so much losses trading on my own....I trade well on demo but I think the real market is manipulated.... Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what I'm doing wrong?
I'm not familiar how things work in Nevada, but in Andalucia, Spain (where I live) it's very similar: If a business changes ownership, the building (or the premises where the business operates) must be brought up to the current code before granting opening license (licencia de apertura). This is the city's or state's way of gradually improving the appearance and safety of the buildings up to the current standards. I understand that it might be frustrating for a new owner, but that's just the way it works. Good example here in Fuengirola: currently city mandates that a cafeteria/bar terrace must be equipped with screen doors. 10 years ago when this was not required all terraces on our beach boulevard were equipped with fabric/plastic walls. Now we have beautiful terraces with hardwood flooring and screen doors all around. It really have brought up the general appearance of the beachfront surroundings as the businesses have changed the ownership.
I knew even 8 month ago that you will never be approved. I m surprised you "15 years in business" but dont know simple requirements of zoning and how local government works lol. Nobody will risk to give dealership license by the school, no mater how many subscribers you gained on "this bubble gonna pop videos"
The 'local leaders' are in general hostile toward business owners and soft on drugs and crime in LV. This isn't unique to LV. My heart goes out to you.
It’s a blessing in disguise. You would be stuck dealing with the building department, contractors, and architects for a long time and you would be frustrated every step of the way. It’s such an expensive time suck, and a big opportunity cost because time is money. You are better off getting into an up to code building so you can just focus on your business, and go hard. Good luck to you.
Lucky This is good news. You should change the business format to on line. Put your cars on YT with the details on the car and set up a time to show the car. This process should be on line to save people time. Who wants to spend 10 minutes in the 110 degree heat looking at a car? You need to rethink this to save you rent money and make it easier on you and the buyer. It has to be a hybrid of sorts. You are a salesman and can make videos on each car is a flash. Just a thought. You sell the car as much as the car sells itself
You still have to have a physical dealership to repair cars at the store cars even sell them online that was the problem with Carvana. They try to do everything virtual and they weren’t able to service and inspect vehicles and it led to a lot of problems. I will be selling a lot of cars online but I need a great facility.
I feel your pain 😢I had same issue in St. Louis Country. In STL County there are 91 municipalities & they all have Stupid Fucking Rules it’s ridicules 😤 The municipality I’m in is one of the few that permits auto sales & repair. It took me about a year till finally found a landlord who said YES to automotive! Don’t give up! Lucky Love ❤️ Your Channel
Damn, sorry to hear this, I was looking forward to checking out the place, I live down the street off Boulder and Sahara. You seem like a very connected guy, I would bet the right opportunity will pop up soon. I've very interested in your car business training center idea, I would love to see it in action.
I watch your show all the time, I've wanted to start a small dealership myself but big government always gets in the way. Here in colorado I've seen lots of dealerships big and small go oob so it's all over the place and to be honest I think internet selling and local delivery is the future of buying and selling cars
Once a building has its first final c/o it's a done deal. The IBC remodeling code states as long as you are not changing more than 40% of the structure of the building you DO NOT have to bring the building up to the current code for the exception of fire and safety (exits and sprinkler systems etc...) Structural changes would need a Structural Engineers design and approvals. If the original business were still occupying the location, there would be no requirements to bring the building up to code including fire and safety. The city of Las Vegas would be ok with a strip joint (stripping is a form of art) , Tattoo studio or body painting studio rather than an educational center/car dealership. There is a great need to get people to pursuit a career in the car repair industry and being across from an actual school could get kids interested in car repair as opposed to going to college. Love the channel and keep looking.
It is easy for an abandoned building to fall apart from neglect in two years or less. It is easy for the building to be not in compliance with current building codes. It is totally average for the city council to say the building has to be fixed up so that it complies with the current building code. Expecting the city council to ignore the building code is like saying the police should never give out speeding tickets. What you need to do is make a plan to fix the place up to look pretty. The resubmit your proposal.
the question is: Who is benefitting from the situation? Who is making money from the status quo? Is the city afraid of being sued by a personal injury lawyer if the floor gives way or the roof falls in?
There's a lot across Boulder Station that I swear used it be a car dealership. It's been empty for like a decade now and I'm pretty sure the building on that lot had been stripped of anything valuable and might even have squatters in it, but yeah just leave it empty to continue to rot away!
Maybe it’s a sign Lucky I’m a car guy. I’ve always dreamt of having my own small lot. I think this is gonna be the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Commercial real estate looks to be in trouble . If these current landlords don’t lock in a long term lease at a fair price soon, they’ll be forced to sell . I always enjoy your videos , thanks for the content.👍
NC Charlotte would love to have you. I know it’s not the shinny toy like Vegas but we definitely have the space and opportunity to truly grow your business.
I feel you on that lucky. Clark county took 11 months to approve us for our dealership license. I'm glad your rental one only took 3. Man I was really hoping for you getting approved and rezoned for that property. Sorry you went through all of that for not brother.
Bad title, the real title is "My building is not up to code and so it's not longer a viable option financially for me". Which is totally legitimate. It sucks, I know, I went through that kind of bureaucratic ferris wheel, but your title is childish. You're just pissed, but you didn't go to the news because you know you don't have a case. Removing people shooting up drugs in the area doesn't absolve you from building codes... come on man. You just have to take that one on the chin... bureaucracy wastes time, which is why people usually pay a contractor, they know all this shit already. If you don't, the process will kick you in the balls for something nobody tells you until the final approval process.
The purpose for my title is because they approve me, told me something and then switched it around for something completely different, and then changed it again give me my license and then took it away. Nothing nothing childish about that.
You mentioned at the start it was formerly an auto dealership of some kind? That should make the CofO go through really quick since no use change. The City Building Dept, Code Enforcement, Fire Department may have to come out and do a walk-thru since its been vacant for 7 years, but it should be quick. MAybe a few repairs/mods will be required, plus any upgrades you want to do (electric/plumbing/demising walls, exterior signs & yard lights), but no biggie. That's sad its a no-go right now.
If it's only 7 years past the last occupancy, how much does it need done to meet current code? For a car rental agency, I'd imagine it's just some electrical and possibly plumbing?
That is very ironic ! I owned a full on very successful non franchised car dealership (Specialty used cars, body shop, repair shop and parts) for over 20 years. In 2019 I got hit with an illness and shutdown my 40,000 sqft indoor facility and additional 35K sqft outdoor. Fast forward to 04/23 my health got better and I said. I am getting back in the business but starting just a little smaller found a vacant place, run down that would have been the perfect spot with a bit of rehab, and at that point my story became your story to were it was me sitting at your chair and talking. just like you I had to walk away from that deal 2 weeks ago. Never thought that I would get so much push back from city/state government office. At this point, I am not sure I want to deal with all the government red tape from the gate, I don't want to deal with the nonsense.
I love the vids and appreciate what you do...but I don't get the gripe. The city can't let you open a dealership in a building that isn't up to code. That's the city's responsibility to ensure businesses the public enter are "safe" and up to code. Is this bad?
Hello Lucky, I used to have a small business and I have found a way to make the city do the right thing. You are dealing with them right now. They do not understand small business and probably do not care. You have to change the rules. How? Make them deal with you. Think about it. They make you jump through all of these obstacles and they find more obstacles. Just do it anyway and make them deal with you. If you just do what you want to do anyway they will figure out how to make it work. I live in California ,and I did this all of the time. They would threaten me, and try to close me down. If they did close me down, I would just re-open again. They would always tell me you can not do this because you do not have all of the permits that you need. Remember they can not have someone watching you all of the time to make sure that you do not re-open. When I say this, of course do not break the law. However, not having a stupid permit does not matter. Permits are used to make money from businesses. Permits are nothing , but they use them to make your life more complicated and to make money. Just do what you want to do and make the city deal with you. You will be laughing all the way to the bank. Thoughts?
Been there unfortunately. In putting up a 20000 sq ft motorcycle dealership in WA state, it was forehead flattening. If thats tough enough, ongoing environmental inspections, labor and industry requirements, taxation, and upkeep will send you over the top
Call the news, roast them. I don't know what they deserve; I don't even know what "they" are. But you are just showing facts, whoever is on the other side deserve to be roasted.
What if you offer to help turn it into a partial art project bc its history and all that. cars are art and you could argue a certain % designation of the property for the cars biz and the other art things. Maybe work on it with them and the landlord to build new units. Dealing with the city sucks. But sometimes if you keep at em they will eventually side with you. Maybe they are testing your resilience. I saw you said you had a lawyer say stop. But maybe hire a new one that could be better connected? I feel like that would be a dope spot and trying a lil bit more might be worth it. Im in the Austin area and its the same here. Eventually you'll get sheet done but it takes soooo long. Waited over a year for a septic permit recently. Good luck man!
Wonder who buys the property after you let it go….. a city council member who wants to put up a rental car lot and sales floor…. Permits approved almost instantaneously. Amazing how they find such great deals. Do an UPDATE on the property in a year or two, and see what happens.
I think you should move forward with the news and blow them up on social. I deal with bureaucrats all the time and they LOVE making things difficult for people. News channels might be able to solve the issue, and help solve similar issues for others in the future.
Why is it such a fight all the time with the locals?! You have to spend a shit ton of money, just for them to deny you! Keep ya head up homie...they will regret it!
Hi Mr. Lopez, I have owned an insurance agency in the anti-business state of CA for 35 years and you are correct about our overregulated, anti-business, major homeless, crime ridden state and not to mention one of the most over taxed in the US. We can only pray the Arizona and Nevada do not turn blue. Having said that, as you know , things happen for a reason!!! And most small business owner's have experienced these matters in their own unique way; we have all seen the up and down business cycles. However, we may all be heading to a catastrophic busness cycle this time around because low wages, high prices, inverted yield curves (banks are not lending) and the last shoe to drop before a recession which is unemployment. Just hang in there and regroup, but DO NOT be in any hurry to lay out thousands of dollars investing in a potentially downturn business environment. Sincerely, Michael
I go to Downtown Vegas every September for Life is Beautiful Music and Art Festival. I think opening a car dealership at that location might interfere with the Festival that's why they are rejecting you. That festival brings in tons of money for surrounding businesses such as hotels, which cost premium that weekend, restaurants, bars, etc...I end up spending minimum of 3k including hotel and ticket cost. That is why they are zoning for art might just be for that Festival. Also, I bet Vegas alone makes tons from the "entertainment tax" that is paid for every ticket purchase which arent cheap.. Also, during the Festival, they shut down huge portion of Downtown Last Vegas.
Windsor, Ontario Canada. We are open for business. I fled the United States in 1996 and have never looked back. I have four business units here in Windsor and it is a great place to call home. When you take your time rose coloured classes off, other countries have cars too! B
You should try and get a franchise at that location I bet it would get approved. That's always been a rough area to do business I looked at an existing car wash there near LVB years ago nothing reality succeeds there. The image of leaking oil used cars piled up on a lot with shady car salesman prob doesn't appeal much to their plans to revamp that area.
Sounds like New York to a T. I own a dealership in NY and tried to open up a new location and went through the same thing and got declined. Sorry you had to go through that Lucky.
Seems to be another example of stealthily transferring wealth. These cities allow certain area's to go to crap (some encourage it). The city then condemns older structures or make it cost prohibitive to remodel. Their "favoreds" then buy up the real estate for pennies on the dollar usually demolitioning the old structures leaving raw real estate . The city cleans up the previously allowed crime/homelessness in the area at tax payer expense/ beautifying the area. New businesses or housing (depending on their game) are then granted zoning/permits driving back up the value of said Real Estate.
The property owner should of paid the improvement costs to bring the building up to code, get your license for the new dealership then sign a long term lease with the property owner. If you were purchasing the land and building make the sale subject to city approval before you close on the property.
@@LuckyLopez777 the problem is you didnt donate to a local politician or pay off/hire relative. How do you expect those people to afford million dollar homes if they dont get bribed some how?
This is by design Lucky. All these politicians and govt. officials are getting paid regardless of the work or benefit they are bringing. They just don't care about people.
Go to Texas...You can build your dream business there and you will be welcomed... The entire west coast is toxic and it appears to be spreading into NV... Think about being flexible on where you wish to operate... You have a lot of creative energy that can be better used building the business than fighting the trolls..
If it’s seven years past its last occupancy, but the last time it was vacant was 45 years ago. That means it’s been 52 years since it was vacant and had to be brought up to code. 52 years almost takes it back to a time when there was kerosene lanterns on the walls.
I'm going to speak counter to the consensus and say this is fair. The city taking 3 months to review an application isn't as bad as lots of other license types that can take years. The reason it takes time is because the government has to do due diligence on each facet of your application. This is because the government ultimately assumes responsibility for a commercial property if the property is being misused or dangerous in some way. You can't even get past needing a coo and a building to code in an unincorporated County now. You weren't being picked on.
Lucky I am very sorry this situation has developed the way it has. Seems to me that Las Vegas is the big loser (think about that). Sometimes these kinds of situations can lead to better ones that you did not anticipate. I hope so. You are a great guy, a great car salesman, and a great educator. Heck one of these days I was even thinking about driving over to LV from Page, Arizona and buying a car from you. Best of luck with a resolution to this.
