Being the only dealership left standing in Pomona Auto Center has its downside, the owner says.

The last remnants of the Kia dealership's neighbors were liquidated at auction Saturday - furniture, appliances, car lifts, drive-through car-wash systems, air compressors and auto equipment.

"I'd rather have more (dealerships or retailers) here for this place to be a bigger destination for people to shop locally," said David Choi, owner of AllStar Kia.

There's a good reason that AllStar Kia is still in business, Choi says. Out of 650 Kia dealers nationwide, his ranks No. 24 in new-car sales.

Including Choi's outfit - the fourth-largest Kia dealer in California - the center had five dealerships when he bought his franchise two years ago.

Since then, a recession forced the closures of Rancho Valley Chevrolet, Rio Rancho Pontiac-GMC-Buick, Rio Ranch Isuzu Truck Center, Rio Rancho Chrysler-Dodge and West Coast RV.

"We want to try to find ways to build the Auto Center back up ... whether it's Nissan or Honda or a domestic franchise," Choi said.

But he's open to other retail proposals.

Pomona's Redevelopment Agency is trying to find a developer willing to build a shopping center.

"If there's an opportunity for us to acquire the Chrysler- Dodge-Jeep dealership property ... we're talking 40 acres," said Raymond Fong, the city's redevelopment director.

Large retailers usually serve a three- to five-mile

radius, which means surrounding neighborhoods are already in the footprint of Wal-Mart, a couple blocks away, and big-box retail magnet Chino Spectrum, about three miles away.

Fong hasn't talked with any interested retailers, but a Target that's smaller than an average store might be a good fit.

"It's going to take time to get the word out," Fong said. "I wouldn't be surprised if, after the holidays, I get some calls from large or small developers."