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. 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.

Ellisville, MO is one of the state's most charming cities, with an authentic community atmosphere, plenty of family-friendly activities to do, and lots of great parks to explore. These top three options will delight your family and give you hours of wholesome entertainment, and all of them are right in the heart of Ellisville. Your 2023 Buick Enclave Essence with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay will keep you fully connected the entire way there. more 1. Bluebird Park Visit Bluebird Park at 225 Kiefer Creek Road if you're looking for a lovely green space to spread out and have a picnic with the family. You can also enjoy Bluebird Pool, a great community pool with a splash pad for the little ones and waterslides and deeper pools for your bigger children. Bluebird Park has plenty of amenities like restrooms, roomy pavilions, an amphitheater, and plenty of hiking and biking trails all around the park itself. Plus, you'll find Ellisville Dog Park at this location. The fenced-in dog park is the ideal place to bring both large and small breeds, and you'll find plenty of doggy water fountains, ample room to run, and a great community to interact with while you're there. 2. Mockingbird Park Mockingbird Park, at 1044 Bridgeport Drive, is an excellent place to go if you're looking for a quiet neighborhood retreat to enjoy a picnic. There's a great playground, plenty of hiking trails, and picnic tables around the area. This serene park is a great place to enjoy nature and have some quality time with your family, and it's right in the heart of Ellisville, so it couldn't be more convenient. 3. Owl Hollow Park Stop by Owl Hollow Park at 809 Corvallis Court and enjoy one of the most unique playgrounds in Ellis. This fantastic spot is modeled after a treehouse, with vines and honeycomb to climb up and many swings and slides to enjoy. Owl Hollow Park also has ample shade, plenty of walking trails, and a basketball court, so you can play a game or two of hoops with the family. Plus, there are lots of places to spread out, have a picnic, and enjoy the sunset. If you're looking for wholesome family fun, you really don't have to drive too far to find it. These great green spaces in Ellisville are all conveniently located right in the heart of the city. You'll find ample parking, a great sense of community, and plenty of amenities like restrooms, picnic tables, basketball courts, swimming pools, and places for your dog to run. Visit us at Bommarito Buick GMC and test drive your next amazing vehicle today.

There's nothing better than a sandwich, right? Smash something delicious between two pieces of bread, top it with the right condiments, and you have perfection. We have some great sandwich places here in Ellisville, MO: places you can grab lunch on the go in your GMC Terrain before you zoom off to your next appointment. Lunch on the Go: Four Favorite Sandwich Places Near Ellisville, MO Which Wich Superior Sandwiches You'll find Which Wich at 1762 Clarkson Rd in Chesterfield, and there's no place in town where you'll get a better sandwich. Ingredients here are fresh and delicious, and the staff and their service make this a great place to be. They also have really delicious gluten-free options, which you can't get everywhere. Try their signature Wicked sandwich, which is roast beef, turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar, provolone, pepper jack, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and mayo. The Za'wich is also amazing, with pepperoni, spicy capicola, marinara sauce, provolone cheese, and hot pepper mix. If you're vegan, try their Black Bean Avocado, which is vegan black bean patty, provolone cheese, avocado, lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, and mayo. Goodcents You'll find this delicious spot at 1044 Town and Country Crossing Dr, in Town and Country. This is a great spot to get your hot or cold sub, and they also do good pastas and salads. This is a fast, counter-serve place, so it's excellent when you need to eat quickly. One of the signatures of this place is their amazingly soft bread. We recommend the Original, which is ham, bologna, salami, and pepperoni. They also do an awesome slow-cooked roast beef and a pepperoni that will set your mouth on fire. If you want to eat lighter or vegetarian, try their Cheese Mix or the Garden Veggie. Penn Station East Coast Subs If you like a grilled sub, there's no better place to stop than here. You'll find them in the Chesterfield Valley Square at 480 THF Blvd. Service here is very fast and accurate, and the staff will make your visit enjoyable. They have the usuals, like cheesesteak, but try something different, like their chicken cordon bleu, the Dagwood, the Artichoke, or the pizza sub. They also do all the cold sub classics, like a fabulous turkey and provolone and a BLT. If you want a wrap or salad, they have good ones, too, and you don't want to miss their fresh-cut fries to go with your sandwich. Potbelly We love Potbelly for its retro-style service and amazing toasted sammies. You'll find this one at 11615 A Olive Blvd in Creve Coeur. The shop is located in the CityPlace, on the first floor. The service here is fast, prices are reasonable, and the freshness is obvious. Be sure to get one of their Wrecks. It's their signature, and it's delicious. Our favorite is their Italian, but the chicken club is also a standout. They also do some interestingly different sandwiches here, like PB&J and a simple, but delicious, grilled cheese sub. Once you've picked up your sandwich, stop by Bommarito Buick GMC and look into picking up a new, comfortable Buick for all your excursions!