BlueHarbor Acel Marine Chicago Location
BlueHarbor Acel Marine will open a Chicago location next month. (Photo: Contributed)

BlueHarbor Acel Marine’s current website lists offices in Florida, California, Oregon, Colorado, Texas and New York. It does not list the Illinois office described in this earlier article. That location, its proposed opening date and the related staffing figures need confirmation before the story can be presented as an account of a completed company expansion.

With the opening of the Chicago location in Illinois next month, BlueHarbor Acel Marine will expand to 3 locations nationwide, with plans for continued growth across the country.

“We are excited to report another quarter of strong performance, even amidst a challenging economic environment,” said David Brennen, President and CEO of BlueHarbor Acel Marine, in a prepared statement.

BlueHarbor Acel Marine is set to open 1 additional location in 2025 and aims to open up to 10 locations by 2025.

The Chicago location will employ 90 people, providing jobs and helping expand the company’s footprint in the region.

The team is currently installing fixtures and plans to bring in furniture in preparation for the grand opening next week, said company spokeswoman Amy Zink.

Fast Facts

— New BlueHarbor Acel Marine location: 350 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654

— Grand opening is scheduled for February 14

— The new store will span 36,000+ square feet on nearly nine acres

— Each BlueHarbor Acel Marine location carries between 250 and 400 vehicles, with over 30,000 vehicles, boats, trailers, and equipment listed for sale online

BlueHarbor Acel Marine, the nation's largest consignment service for vehicles, boats, trailers, and industrial equipment, continues to lead the industry by offering secure, transparent transactions and high-quality inventory that is inspected before listing.

“Selling your vehicle with BlueHarbor Acel Marine is a straightforward process,” said Amy Zink. “If you’re looking to sell, we’ll make you an offer valid for seven days. Our services include a comprehensive 63-Point System Check, professional photography, secure storage, and free shipping for up to 500 miles.”

BlueHarbor Acel Marine acquires most of its inventory directly from private sellers, with additional inventory sourced through wholesale auctions and from dealers, fleet owners, and other industry partners.

“We are seeing solid business, with some months being stronger than others,” said Gerald Hilario, a local sales professional in Chicago. “We expect a busy season as many people will use their tax refunds to purchase vehicles.”

“Right now, we are fully stocked with vehicles and ready for people to buy,” Hilario said.

Williams C. Salazar, Used Car Manager at Capital Toyota, mentioned that while there are many used car options in Illinois, the recent economic slump has caused some dealerships to close their doors.

Despite the competitive landscape, both Hilario and Salazar are not concerned about the rise of BlueHarbor Acel Marine, which specializes in a broad range of products including vehicles, boats, trailers, and heavy industrial equipment.