Norwich - The former Simon Ford building at 401 North Main St. in Greeneville has sat vacant for several years since the car dealership moved to Route 32 in Thamesville, but it won't remain that way for much longer.

Robert Kleemann Jr., owner of Kleemann Service Center on Franklin Street, purchased the former Simon Ford building Friday for $767,000 and plans to move his towing and auto service business from the current leased space to Greeneville by mid to late May.

Kleemann said the former car dealership property was ideal, if a little too large for his operation. He needed outdoor space for the towing business, indoor space for auto service and offices and would like to expand his used-car sales business.

At the start, Kleemann plans to keep his current staff - himself and six employees - and hopes to add one or two new employees within six months to a year of the move.

"There's not a lot available in Norwich that lends itself to auto repair," Kleemann said. "We're excited to have a place we can grow into."

Greeneville advocates are excited, as well, to welcome a local businessman to the long-vacant space. Peter Procko, chairman of the Greeneville Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Committee, called Kleemann "a hard working kid who comes from a good family that has been doing business in the Norwich area for years." Robert Kleemann Sr. and his brother, George Kleemann, own Kleemann's Auto Parts in Preston. Editor's note: This corrects an earlier version of this article.

Sofee Noblick, Norwich alderwoman and NRZ member, said the committee has a goal of reaching out to businesses to showcase vacant available Greeneville space. She thanked commercial real estate agent Ronald Lyman for brokering the deal to bring Kleemann to Greeneville.

Lyman has been working on the sale for the past several months, hinting at the sale with a "Deal Pending" sign on the property. Lyman said the previous owner, Matthew Isenburg, agreed to finance the deal, which helped it go forward, and remains involved in doing environmental cleanup work on the property now that the deal has closed.

Lyman, too, will remain involved, marketing the extra showroom space that Kleemann doesn't need for lease.

"I think it's going to be good for him, and certainly for the community," Lyman said. "He's obviously very committed to the area. It will be a great location for him."

c.bessette@theday.com