Car show draws major traffic at Butler Town Center

A car show featuring more than 100 classic European automobiles drew thousands of people to Butler Town Center in Gainseville, Fla., according to Butler Enterprises.

Two parking lots adjacent to The Cheesecake Factory and the Grub Burger Bar in Butler’s newest district played temporary home to Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Mercedes G-Wagons. Title sponsors Werkshop49, BMW of Gainesville, Porsche of Ocala, and Audi of Gainesville brought out their latest models to show off to the crowd.

The Butler event, co-sponsored by Charles Schwab, was held in support the United Way of North Central Florida. Vendors and local car clubs in attendance included Winning Edge Car Wash, Safe Parc Parking Solutions, Gator Motorsports, T-Mobile, Drive Florida, Hesketh Racing, and Gainesville Cars and Coffee.

“The love for European cars is great because we’re bringing in people from our surrounding counties as well as within the Gainesville area to this car show,” said Staci-Ann Bertrand, VP of economic development for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

David Bridges’ Heritage Motors showed off the replica 1934 Mercedes 500K Roadster it built in “Exotic Alley,” where rare and unusual vehicles were displayed.

“Since all the proceeds go to United Way, you know, it’s just a nice way for everyone to see the car, enjoy the car just as much as I and my wife enjoy the car,” Bridges said.

Apropos to the staging of the car show was the announcement made by Butler Enterprises that Ford’s Garage, a beer and burger joint concept dedicated to Henry Ford, would soon be opening at the massive retail center in Gainseville.

Butler’s director of community and events Elizabeth Scott and director of marketing John Dickerson said more car shows would be held at Butler Town Center in the future.