Our Story

Kinderhook Toyota has served Columbia County and the surrounding area since 1966. What began as a small local operation has grown into a trusted, family-owned Toyota dealership with deep roots in the community.

In the early 1960s, Ed Habeck Sr. operated a gas station and repair shop along Route 9H in Kinderhook, New York. Like many shop owners at the time, he explored the idea of selling vehicles but struggled to find a brand that aligned with his values of reliability, practicality, and long-term service.

That changed when he learned about a relatively unknown Japanese automaker called Toyota. Curious about their reputation for engineering and durability, Ed traveled to New York City to see the vehicles firsthand. He brought along his teenage son, Ed Habeck Jr., turning the trip into both a business opportunity and a shared experience.

The dealership remained a true family operation. Ed’s wife Gloria managed the books, and Ed Jr. joined the business full-time in his twenties as a salesperson. In the years that followed, his wife Brinder also became involved in the accounting side of the business.

As Toyota gained popularity, especially during the fuel crises of the 1970s, the dealership grew steadily in both sales and service.

By the mid-2000s, the dealership had outgrown its original location. After careful consideration, Ed Jr. selected a nearby site along Route 9H in Ghent that would remain convenient for longtime customers.

Ed Habeck Sr. and Ed Habeck Jr. laid the foundation for what Kinderhook Toyota is today, and their values continue to guide the business. Gloria remained an active part of the dealership for many years, working part-time well into the next generation.

Today, Kinderhook Toyota remains proudly family-owned and operated under the leadership of Brinder Habeck, with her son Eddie Habeck III helping oversee operations and carry the family legacy forward.

Just as important to the dealership’s success are the people who have devoted most or all of their working lives to Kinderhook Toyota. Team members such as Art Doss, Everett Nack, Brenda Baillargeon, and Abe Ploof have each spent decades with the dealership, reflecting a culture built on loyalty, trust, and mutual respect.

In 2013, the dealership welcomed its first General Manager, Bill Scheitineger, working alongside ownership and a long-standing management team to support continued growth while staying true to the dealership’s roots.

Today, Kinderhook Toyota remains what it has always been: a local, family-run business built on trust, long-term relationships, and service to the community. Sixty years later, those same values still drive everything we do.