POINT PLEASANT — After more than 55 years, Tally's Chrysler Dodge and Auto Body is closing.



A small handwritten sign in the window of a Bridge Avenue car dealership is the only indication that it will be shuttered.

"Thanks, Point Pleasant for a great 55 years," is written in black marker at Tally's. "Good bye and farewell."

About 25 people, who management said were employed at the dealer for 18 years, were laid off Thursday when the auto body and service department closed. The sales office is staffed with a skeleton crew of four, manager John Stoll said. Car sales will be made to the first week of May, when Chrysler will buy back the new cars, Stoll said.

"The place is pretty much closed down as it is," he said.

The dealership was closed at the behest of Chrysler.

"It's nothing we did, they (Chrysler) is closing as many dealerships as they can," Stoll said. "Eventually, they want to get rid of half the dealers."

The smaller dealerships like Tally's are no longer wanted, Stoll said. The automaker wants to have fewer, but larger dealerships.