Jim Butler Chevrolet Expanding in Fenton

The auto business has been good for Jim Butler Chevrolet, which has dealerships in Crestwood, Fenton and South County.

Brad Sowers, who runs the sprawling dealership at 759 Gravois Bluffs Blvd. in Fenton, says the move to a non-traditional location has paid off.

"We've been doing really well here since we moved six years ago," Sowers said.

Business is so good Jim Butler Chevrolet ranked No. 1 in Chevrolet retail sales in the St. Louis region for the first quarter of this year, according to spokesman Scott DieckGraefe.

Dieckgraefe said the dealership sold 474 new Chevrolet cars, trucks and SUVs in the first quarter, a 16 percent increase over the same period in 2012.

Last week, the Fenton Board of Alderman approved an ordinance that allows Jim Butler Chevrolet to expand its operation. Sowers said the dealership will add eight new service bays and a car wash to its existing operation.

"It's a big expansion for us," he said.

Sowers said the addition will take six months to build and should be completed this year.

Jim Butler Chevrolet has been in business since 1980 and consistently ranks in the top 100 of all Chevrolet dealerships nationwide, DieckGraefe said. The dealership is part of the Jim Butler group, which also includes Jim Butler Auto Plaza, Crestwood, Jim Butler Mitsubishi, South County, Jim Butler Kia, Chesterfield, Jim Butler Collision Centers, Jim Butler Luxury and Jim Butler Warranty.