DECATUR - Two brothers, who got their start in the automotive business with a home-based motorcycle repair shop, took over Decatur's former Northtown Ford dealership on Monday.

Acquiring the business - known since the 1:45 p.m. deal-signing as Jackson Ford - is the latest in an accelerated series of major business coups for Matthew Jackson, 39, and his brother Mark Jackson, 38. Already owners of the World of Powersports dealership in Decatur where they sell everything from motorcycles to snowmobiles and personal watercraft, they acquired what became the Jackson Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Sullivan in 2003 and, a year ago, launched the Jackson New Car Alternatives used car business in Mount Zion.

The brothers, who live in Mattoon, grew up in Clinton and began their motorcycle repair shop as teenagers. They're now joined in their combined business operations by older brother Michael Jackson, 41, who is financial officer.

"We never knew which way it would go or what the opportunities would be, but we've always looked for opportunities in business," Matthew Jackson said.

"What enabled us to grow our first business was our passion for motorcycles, and we're always excited about what we do. We have big things planned for Jackson Ford."

The business, after a year of negotiations, was sold by former owner Ed Hazlehurst who had taken over Soy Ford and named it Northtown in 1967. His sons, Kim and Eddie Jr., both work at the dealership as managers along with a staff of about 30. The Jacksons said employees either had been or were being interviewed for the same or changing roles in the new dealership.

"We are looking for people who are willing to advance the company," Matthew Jackson said. "We will be bringing in some new and improved ways of doing things."

For the old guard, Monday marked the end of an era. Ed Hazlehurst, 82, said he had found it "very difficult to talk through the tears" in the run-up to handing over the dealership. "I'll miss the daily activity, the association with a bunch of wonderful people here at the store," he said.

"But I guess, after you get so old, you had better do something besides work. I want to play a lot of golf."

The new owners are teeing-off a campaign to convince Ford there is a lot of underserved sales opportunities in the Decatur area and plan to boost stocks of new and used cars.

"The biggest change customers will see? Inventory, lots more inventory," Matthew Jackson said. "We want to offer a much bigger choice in everything from cars to trucks, and we've already placed an order for 15 of the new Mustangs, the hottest new car out this year. The more we sell, the more opportunities Ford will offer us."

Service hours are also being expanded and, later the brothers are eyeing a move to a new and modern location in the Decatur area. "We feel this market is ripe for expansion, and we're proud of our commitment to making this dealership work," Matthew Jackson said.

Tony Reid can be reached at treid@;herald-review.com or 421-7977.