Car dealer sells dealership, gives employees big bonuses
MICHIGAN -- Howard Cooper sold his last car, closed up his car dealership and made a deal of a lifetime with his employees.
Cooper sold his Ann Arbor, Michigan car dealership and told about 90 of his employees to gather for a final meeting.
"I handed out some significant bonuses based on seniority and how long they've been here," Cooper said.
Employees received $1,000 for every year of service, no matter what the job! One worker with 30 years of experience got $30,000!
"It was an emotional experience, but it was fun. I was a little teary-eyed, as a matter of fact, for myself as well as them," Cooper said.
Cooper, a soft-spoken car guy is never one to toot his own horn. His wife Ann says Cooper loves his employees.
"I think he's a man that really admires loyalty and I think he had so many employees that had been here for 20, 30, 40 almost 50 years and I think he wanted to do something nice for them," Ann Cooper said.
Cooper sold his dealership to the Ohio-based Germain Motor Company. He called his first full day of retirement a feel good day.