Buckle up, enjoy the ride: Mark Motors celebrates new Porsche centre

You’d hardly know you were in Ottawa upon arriving to the swanky party Mark Motors Group hosted to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its stunning new Porsche Destination Centre.

The champagne was flowing, the music playing, and around every corner — and there were so many — were culinary food stations run by executive chefs and their teams. With fetching fashion models and luxury cars to fawn over, it was a night replete with glamour and beauty.

The 68,000-square-foot centre was massive enough to accommodate the 700-plus guests invited to the gala on Saturday night. Porsche Cars Canada president and CEO John Cappella called the grand opening “without question, one of the best that I’ve ever been to.” A second celebration was to be held the following day. 

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There to formally welcome everyone were Mark Motors’ dealer principal Michael Mrak and his younger sister Liza Mrak, executive vice-president and co-owner. They were joined on stage by their brothers Andreas and  Vincent Mrak. The second-generation, family-owned and -operated local business specializes in luxury car dealerships in Ottawa. The Mraks are one of Porsche’s longest-standing dealer partners in Canada.

“Your encouragement, your enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our efforts,” Michael told an audience of customers so large that those at the back of the room watched on a giant screen. “We’re so excited to open our doors and serve you the best Porsche experience possible.”

Customers learned about all the bells and whistles offered at the centre, which embodies “excellence, tradition, performance, refinement, sustainability and innovation.”

Architects, engineers and subcontractors were involved in designing and building the multi-level, state-of-the-art dealership located on the corner of St. Laurent Boulevard and Montreal Road. It required some 200 skilled workers and tradespeople, most of whom were local. In charge of the construction of the new building was Laurin General Contracting, owned by Dennis Laurin. “It’s still standing,” Laurin joked that night. 

Customers included former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson and his wife Bibbi. Former diplomat Nadir Patel was heard being congratulated over his new appointment as chancellor of his undergrad alma mater, Wilfrid Laurier University. “I thought they were calling to raise money,” he said modestly about the initial phone call.

The gala doubled as a 65th anniversary. Mark Motors is a successful business story that bears repeating, serving as both inspiration and a reminder that, with hard work, anything is possible.  

Family patriarch Louis Mrak was a Slovenian-born immigrant when he came to Canada in the 1950s, toting a single suitcase with all his belongings. As a skilled auto mechanic with a real knack for fixing European cars, he opened a small repair shop in 1959, across the road from where the Porsche Destination Centre stands today. 

In 1974, he started selling and servicing Porsche sports cars — the ultimate mid-life-crisis purchase and bucket-list dream. He soon had the Audi franchise, as well.

Louis and German-born wife Margaret would often enlist their four kids to help with the family business. It was Margaret who supported Louis in the early years of him getting the business going. She cleaned rooms at the Château Laurier hotel.

Today, the company employs 300 and consists of seven luxury car brands across seven locations in the region. Its most recent addition is a Volkswagen dealership in Cornwall.

Michael and Liza spoke of how honoured they were to be carrying on a tradition of excellence started by their parents. While Louis has been gone since 2012, Margaret only passed away last fall at age 90.

“I know mom and dad would be proud to see the evolution of the business, and that we did it while remaining true to their original vision,” said Liza, who listed off their instilled values as: family, community, respect, loyalty and excellence.

In 2017, Mark Motors was recognized by AFP Ottawa as Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist of the Year. Among the local non-profit organizations it supports are: BGC Ottawa, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, National Arts Centre Foundation, Montfort Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.  

“Supporting our community in a meaningful way is, for us, a measure of excellence that we take seriously and with great passion,” said Liza, who sits on the board of the NAC Foundation. The national arts organization was represented that night by its president and CEO Juniper Locilento and fellow board member Marjolaine Hudon, regional president at RBC.

Hudon told OBJ.social how impressed she is with Mark Motors’ philanthropic commitment. “They are everywhere,” she said of their involvement in so many causes. “They’re selling big cars – I get that — but their heart is at the right place. They care, they give back. Hats off to them for what they do.”

For Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO David Gourlay, it was his second time participating in a party at the Porsche dealership. He was at the facility earlier this spring for a sponsorship reception Mark Motors hosted in advance of the charity’s signature fundraiser Taste for Hope.

Gourlay said it was important to him that he attend the gala to support Mark Motors. He was glad he did, too.  “I just love the atmosphere,” he added. “I love the vibe and the energy tonight. People are just so genuinely happy to be here.”

It was one of the best parties in recent memory for Ottawa businessman Pat Nicastro, owner of the Italian fine food shop La Bottega in the ByWard Market. It was among the local restaurants serving food at the party. 

“The dealership is unbelievable,” he added. “I love cars. I’ve been to a lot of dealerships in my life, and this is probably one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever been to.”

Other participating restaurants included Coconut Lagoon, Fraser, Gitanes, Le St. Laurent, Shinka Sushi and Starling, as well as the mobile bar Thirst Responder. Event planner Amanda Ruddy, owner of Amanda Julia Events, collaborated with Angela Spicer from Event Design Group to organize the memorable celebration. The entertainment included GoodVibe Entertainment, live saxophone music and a fun party band called The Wind-Up.

The best one-liner of the night goes to local criminal defence lawyer Doug Baum, who, when asked what he thought of the new facility, found inspiration in 1980s pop culture. “Porsche — there is no substitute,” he replied, quoting Tom Cruise’s character Joel in the coming-of-age flick Risky Business.