3960 State Road 38 E
Lafayette, IN 47905
Retail Property For Sale

Located along one of Lafayette’s highest-visibility corridors — just off I-65 — this property sits in a thriving commercial hub adjacent to major developments in the area’s Hard-Tech Corridor and near national-brand retailers and restaurants (including big-box retail, fast food, dining, fitness and service anchors). The facility features a 22,400 SF main showroom and service building with soaring 24' ceilings — ideal for displaying cars, sport vehicles, off-road rigs, golf carts, campers, and more. A spacious mezzanine level adds roughly 2,700 SF, including two large executive office suites with private full bathrooms, plus multiple offices and potential lease-out spaces. In total, the building offers 19 individual office/room spaces, giving flexibility for owner use, on-site management, or additional tenant income. Additionally, there is a separate 7,200 SF outbuilding at the rear — divided into two bays with large overhead doors — suitable for expansion, storage, light fabrication, subleasing, or other revenue-generating use. The property’s service center is fully equipped and built to support a full-service automotive operation, including seven vehicle lifts, an alignment rack, and a parts elevator in the receiving/storage area. Everything from general maintenance to full service can be accommodated. This is a rare, turnkey facility designed from the ground up for auto sales and service use — and it’s priced close to its original 2002 build cost, offering significant upside potential for an owner-operator or investor. Why This Property Stands Out (Conceptually) It’s not a “small shop” — this is a large-scale, professionally built facility that can support full auto sales, service, and storage under one roof. The mezzanine offices and separate outbuilding add flexibility: ideal for owner-operator control or to lease out space for additional income. The location ties into broader regional growth: the adjacent “Hard Tech” industrial development + national brand retailers/restaurants suggests increasing traffic, workforce, and demand for automotive needs. The high-clearance showroom plus multiple bays allow for creative uses — beyond cars: off-road vehicles, boats, campers, recreational vehicles, or specialty equipment. For an investor: this is a rare chance to acquire a purpose-built automotive complex at a “legacy build price,” offering both immediate utility and long-term potential. Traffic & Market Context (SR-38 E / Lafayette Corridor) Nearby commercial sites on SR 38 E — including retail/land parcels — report daily traffic counts approaching ~39,000 vehicles/day for parcels at highly trafficked intersections near SR 38 and US 52. Other comparable properties along SR 38 in Lafayette note that the corridor enjoys strong commuter and retail traffic, easy access to I-65 and local employers — making it one of the busier, more visible commercial arteries in the area. The surrounding area includes a mix of retail, service, industrial/employment centers, and residential — meaning demand for automotive sales, service, repairs, storage, and related services is likely to remain stable over time. Use Cases & Investor Appeal Owner-operator auto dealership or specialty vehicle sales (campers, off-road, boats, etc.) — ready-to-go infrastructure with showroom, service area, storage. Third-party service/repair shop, bodyshop, or specialty vehicle maintenance — lifts, alignment rack and storage already in place. Mixed-use: sales + service + parts + sub-tenants — mezzanine offices or outbuilding could be leased to separate businesses (e.g. auto detailers, parts vendors, accessories, fleet services). Investment / value-add play — acquire below replacement cost, then lease to tenants or restructure operations; potential to reposition as multi-tenant auto/light-industrial/ showroom campus.