If the economic undertow can pull
down a big guy like Denny Hecker, what about all the little guys? Even with the
sale of three of his dealerships, the closing of six others, Hecker still has
seven dealerships. The Star Tribune described him as "flamboyant." The term that
comes to my mind is "larger than life." Not only is he a fixture in the Twin
Cities business scene, he is also a presence at just about every charity event I
have ever attended. I don't think I have been to a fundraiser where the Heckers
have not donated at least one if not two generous leases to help raise
money.
These are tough, tough times. In a terrible job
market, 400 of Hecker's employees are out of work. I guess someday we will look back
at these days the way our grandparents and great grandparents looked back at the
Great Depression. Would that it was all already in our rear view
mirror.
