Coronavirus: Patchogue Car Dealership Lays Off 86

PATCHOGUE, NY — More than 80 people were laid off at a Patchogue car dealership after the business was forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brown's Jeep Chrysler Dodge on New York State Route 112 closed down last month and recently filed a notice with the New York State Department of Labor of the layoffs.

The dealership laid off 86 out of its 133 employees. The notice listed "unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19" as the reason.

"Brown’s Automotive want to extend our deepest compassion for those affected by the COVID-19," a message on the dealership's website reads. "We are following the COVID-19 spread closely and have taken precautionary measures at the dealership to help ensure that our visitors and employees are being protected from the spread of germs."

Brown's said they are still open for business remotely. It's offering customers a virtual showroom and handling all transactions online or over the phone. The remaining sales team members are working from home.

In addition, the service and parts department remains open as an essential business and will remain open for any warranty or recall repairs.

All nonessential businesses, including car dealerships, were required to close under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's New York State on PAUSE initiative to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Cuomo announced the initiative last month and this week extended it to May 15.