January marks a significant month for our team as we remember Frank Bommarito, the esteemed founder of the Bommarito Automotive Group, on the first anniversary of his passing. Frank's life was a tapestry of hard work, innovative thinking, and an unwavering dedication to his community. This commemoration is a tribute to a man whose contributions have profoundly shaped the automotive industry in Missouri and set a standard for excellence and integrity. more The Early Years: Building a Foundation Frank Bommarito's automotive career began with humble roots at McMahon Pontiac, where he started by undercoating cars and working as a car porter and jockey. His dedication and hard work, coupled with his time in the US Navy where he received a Golden Glove award for boxing, laid the groundwork for his future success. Upon returning from the Navy, Frank continued his career at McMahon Pontiac in 1954, eventually climbing the ladder to sales and then on to management at Vincel Pontiac. His dream of being a new car dealer materialized in 1971 when General Motors handed him an Oldsmobile dealer in Ellisville, MO, marking the start of what would become the Bommarito Automotive Group. Under Frank's stewardship, Bommarito Oldsmobile not only became Missouri's largest Oldsmobile dealership but also maintained its status among the nation's top ten. But his initial success was not confined to a single brand; it was merely a springboard for expansion--each new venture was marked by Frank's signature blend of tenacity and foresight, as seen in the enduring success of Bommarito Mazda in Ellisville as the largest Missouri Mazda dealer for over 17 of their 43 years of operation. His vision encompassed the St. Louis Metro area, elevating the North County Nissan in Hazelwood to the status of Missouri's largest volume Nissan dealership. Extending further into West County, the establishment of Bommarito Buick GMC and Bommarito INFINITI in Ellisville continue to reinforce the Bommarito name as a significant cornerstone in Missouri's automotive history. Sustaining Impact and Growth The transition of leadership to his son, John Bommarito, in 1998, was a seamless passing of the torch. This period saw significant expansions and acquisitions, including the introduction of new brands like Pontiac, Suzuki, Buick, Honda, and Volkswagen, each reflecting the group's commitment to diversity and customer choice. The South County region soon became a new home for the Bommarito Chevrolet addition in 2008 as General Motors began shifting its focus away from Pontiac, welcoming a new auto brand powerhouse to the Bommarito family business, to accompany the already-successful Bommarito Mazda South (formerly Pontiac-Mazda). Even after handing over the reins of the Bommarito Automotive Group to John, Frank's influence remained a guiding force. The group's expansion under John's leadership, bringing the group total to 20 franchises and locations in every St. Louis neighborhood, continued to reflect Frank's vision and principles. Frank's ethos, centered around hard work and community service, was instilled in the group's over 1000 team members, ensuring that his legacy of being Missouri's #1 Auto Dealer and a top national dealership endured. The Bommarito Auto Group's growth was not about adding brands for the sake of notoriety; it was about creating a legacy that car buyers could rely on for life—Frank’s vision of having "a vehicle in our portfolio for every type of buyer" bloomed into a lifetime family mission that has become revered by the community today, with John's continued dedication in the business reflecting Frank's tenacity in which so many have been inspired by. A Fulfilling Life Beyond the Family Business Frank's life was rich and multifaceted, extending well beyond his professional achievements. He was known for his heartfelt generosity and his belief that giving someone a job was the best form of help a person could offer. He’s remembered as an accomplished Gin Rummy and Poker player, and he deeply cherished his weekly gatherings with friends, whom he affectionately nicknamed his "Cronies." He also had a well-known passion for writing which led him to author a weekly column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for over a decade, sharing his business insights and personal experiences as a well-versed entrepreneur during the recession of 2008. In 2015, he was honored as the Time Dealer of the Year for his community contributions, and his alma mater, St. Mary’s High School, was named in his honor. Frank's legacy lives on through his family, including his beloved wife Lisa, his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his beloved (and cleverly named) dogs, Sinatra, Deano, Bishop, and Pavé. As we commemorate the first anniversary of Frank Bommarito's passing, we reflect on a legacy that has truly transcended the automotive industry. His journey from a car washer to a revered industry leader is a narrative of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the community he so deeply cared for. Frank Bommarito's story is not just about cars--it's about the indelible mark he left on the St. Louis Metro area and the countless lives he touched along the way. His legacy, carried forward by both his family and the Bommarito Auto Group, continues to drive forward, fueled by the same principles that Frank held dear. In remembering Frank, we celebrate a life that was truly driven by passion, vision, and an enduring commitment to excellence.
Image via Pixabay St. Louis, MO is a spectacular city with many parks, museums, and recreational opportunities. However, we sometimes need a break from the beautiful city we call home. Fortunately, you can take many relaxing drives in Missouri if you need to roam and unwind. Today, we're looking at our favorite scenic drives you can take in this great state. more 1. Historic Route 66 Byway: St. Louis, MO to Joplin, MO The most beautiful byway in Missouri, Historic Route 66 Byway, will take you from St. Louis to Joplin at the border of Kansas. Along the 317-mile journey, you will drive through many small cities, including Saint Clair, Sullivan, Saint Robert, and Eureka. While Eureka is less than an hour away from St. Louis, we strongly recommend stopping there. At 97 N. Outer Road, Suite 1, you will find Route 66 State Park. This state park features four trails, including three loop trails, that are great for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. You can also fish during daylight hours on the Meramec River. 2. Great River Road We also recommend driving along part of the Great River Road. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway runs parallel to the Mississippi River, extending to the Gulf of Mexico from northern Minnesota. Driving the entire scenic byway can take anywhere from four to 10 days; we recommend sticking to Highway 61 in Missouri and exploring some of the most beautiful river towns in the state. One of the most popular destinations in Missouri along Great River Road is Saint Charles. Here, you will find the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River. Cape Girardeau is also worth exploring. It is home to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, a great place to learn about the natural history of the area, including the great river. We also recommend checking out: New Madrid Louisiana Perryville 3. Old Trails Road Old Trails Road is another great scenic road to take if you need to unwind. This scenic byway starts west of Napoleon where Highway 24 and Highway 224 meet. However, if you're heading west from St. Louis, you can start at the end, just to Lexington's east where 224 passes under Route 13. This 15.3-mile scenic byway offers panoramic views of the Missouri River basin at Wellington and Napoleon, and you can see: Stunning landmarks Emerald hilltops Beautiful bottomlands While there are many scenic roads that highlight some of the best Missouri offers, you need reliable transportation to explore the state. If you need a car you can count on, contact us today at Bommarito Chevrolet South County to schedule a test drive for a 2024 Chevy Trax.
St. Louis, MO is an energetic town filled with a variety of places to enjoy. If you find yourself in the mood for a cookie or ice cream, hop in your 2022 Chevy Blazer, take advantage of its 64.2 cubic feet of max cargo volume that will make sure you have no trouble storing all of your belongings, and go check out some of these sweet spots for dessert that are located near St. Louis! 4 Sweet Spots for Dessert in Driving Distance of St. Louis, MO 1. The Cup The Cup has been open since 2007 and has the mission of providing its customers with the best cupcake experience possible by offering products of exceptional quality in an inviting atmosphere. The shop is open Monday-Saturday, and its menu includes classic cupcakes, seasonal cupcakes, gluten-free cupcakes, vegan cupcakes, cakes, and other sweet treats. Available seasonal cupcake flavors include pumpkin harvest in the fall and carrot top in the spring. 2. Ices Plain and Fancy Ices Plain and Fancy has been open since 2014 and serves ice cream that is of great quality and flash-churned to order using liquid nitrogen. The shop is open Tuesday-Sunday, and its menu includes classic ice creams, fancy and seasonal ice creams, classic-churned ice, and pints of ice cream. Available classic ice cream flavors include pumpkin cheesecake, pineapple sorbet, peanut butter chocolate, butter pecan, salted dulce de leche, German chocolate, and mint chip. more 3. Clementine's Clementine's prides itself on creating the most tempting ice cream in St. Louis and uses only high-quality, all-natural ingredients. The shop churns all of its ice cream by hand and is open daily. Some of Clementine's available ice cream flavors include carrot cake, decadent coffee, gooey butter cake, honey lavender, Italian butter cookie, malted raspberry crunch, and peach cobbler. If you're looking for a vegan option, be sure to try the shop's vegan vanilla bean scoop. 4. Hot Box Cookies Hot Box Cookies is open daily and offers a mix of cookies, scoops, cakes, drinks, and cookie dough. Available cookie flavors include chocolate white chocolate chip, peanut butter Reese's Pieces, peanut butter chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, red velvet, and oatmeal raisin. Available ice cream flavors include vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream. If you're looking for a treat your pup can enjoy, be sure to also order some of Hot Box's carob chip cookies.Now that you've enjoyed a delicious treat that has left your taste buds happy, it's a great time to look for the new car you've been wanting. Stop by Bommarito Chevrolet South County today and have a look at our inventory of new and pre-owned Chevrolet vehicles!
