VALDOSTA — With only one car, Joe Hall pursued a dream.

In December 1975, Hall opened Joe Hall Used Cars on South Patterson Street.

Having been around cars since he was 14, the Valdosta native said he decided it was time for him to go into business for himself.

The used car lot specializes in newer models with low mileage, Hall said. The lot initially opened with low inventory but Hall said that changed over time.

“We stocked some inventory down there after it got started pretty good,” he said.

Pricing cars was considered during the startup of Hall’s company. He deems the lot more affordable than others.

“I just go by what customers say,” he said. “We don’t make people work to buy a car.”

In December 1992, Hall closed the used car lot and moved the business to 1804 Baytree Road where it is currently.

The building is a former house once owned by one of Hall’s previous classmates.

Hall said the company’s mission is to buy quality cars. Staffers purchase used cars from auctions and online sites to build inventory.

Hall’s vision is to one day pass his used car lot to his son, Richard Hall, who’s the chief financial officer.

Richard Hall began cleaning cars for his father’s business in 1985 before being promoted to car salesman in 1991.

Liking to help people find nice cars is a key reason that Richard Hall has continued working at his father’s lot.

Richard Hall assists customers with financing arranged through banks and credit unions.

“A lot of the buy-here, pay-here people will have a finance price and a cash price,” he said. “To us, the price is the same whether you finance it or if you have cash.”

Another service offered is discounts at mechanic shops if a customer purchases a car from Joe Hall Used Cars, according to staff members.

Visit joehallcars.com for the lot’s inventory and to learn more about the company.