PARKERSBURG - More than a year after officials broke ground, McClinton Chevrolet on Seventh Street in Parkersburg has unveiled its new expanded showroom.
Owner Mac McClinton and staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and luncheon at the dealership.
Officials announced plans to build a new 7,700-square-foot showroom and development of 2.1 acres of display and customer parking in July 2011, and construction finished in July of this year.
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Photo by Michael Erb
McClinton Chevrolet team member Seldon Wigal, outside left, manager Keith Lytle, left, owner Mac McClinton, center, wife Gina McClinton, right, and Chevrolet zone manager Belle Runiz, outside right, cut the ribbon on the new McClinton Chevrolet showroom.
"The journey took a year and it was worth the wait," said manager Keith Lytle.
The renovations reflect the new look of Chevrolet dealerships throughout the country and provides the business with some new options.
"It allows us to feature more of the Chevrolet product, allows us to have more inside," Lytle said. The showroom also features an indoor delivery area where buyers can look at and learn about their new vehicle prior to driving it off the lot.
The McClinton dealership opened in 1915, and the previous showroom was built in 1948. The new showroom is decorated with paintings and photographs of the dealership throughout its 97-year history, including a sign that hung outside of the dealership beginning in the 1930s and now hangs inside the new facility's conference and training room.
Mac McClinton said expanding the dealership has been a slow and steady process over the years and Thursday's opening event the culmination of much hard work.
"This beautiful new facility would not be here without the work and care of our wonderful team members," he said. "Without our customers, we would not be here."
