Founded in 1962 by Don Lougheed, Ballantyne was originally located on the west side of Rochester near the Ballantyne Bridge. In 1973, Don moved to Route 96 in what was then the countryside of Victor. While many dealerships have come and gone over the years, Ballantyne has continued to prosper. In 1982, Don partnered with long-time friend and business partner David C. McMann. It was under David's ownership that the marine products were introduced in 1986. David had a unique understanding of the importance of service, and he focused the entire Ballantyne operation on gaining customers for life. In 1992, David became ill and it was left to his son Mark to carry on Ballantyne's commitment to outstanding customer service.