Stapp Interstate Toyota began as Longmont Toyota 50 years ago. Although the car dealership industry has changed, all three generations of the Stapp family have held true to their core values.
When Longmont Toyota began in 1973 it was owned by Jim Wilson. After less than a year, Wilson — a lawyer — decided he wanted to get into business with people who had ample experience in the car dealership industry. He called Bob Stapp, who ran successful car dealerships in Denver and Boulder. On March 1, 1974, the Stapp family purchased the business.
Not long after, the business had outgrown its small store on Main Street and eyed a lot that had once been a John Deere tractor dealership. The Stapps moved across the street and stayed there until 2007, when they moved the dealership to 8019 Raspberry Way in Frederick.
Although the dealership moved east, it is still involved in the Longmont community by supporting the St. Vrain Valley School district, A Woman’s Work, Roberta’s Legacy and many other local charities and sports teams.
“We try to choose organizations that help people who are in need or in trouble,” said Art Stapp, executive vice president. “I think you give back to your community in the places it needs help.”
Over the years, the dealership has also been a good steward of the environment. It created a 53,000 canopy system that covers more than 335 cars. The system acts as a base for 720 solar panels that generate 100% of the dealership’s power, according to its website.
But more important than that are the relationships the Stapp family has built not only with its customers but with its staff.
Around 13 years ago, Dana Gibbs — sales associate — moved from New York. He was formally a corrections officer but gave up the profession to be closer to his wife, who had been relocated to Colorado. The Stapp family hired Gibbs who said he instantly felt part of the family. Later when his mother passed away and he had a medical emergency, the Stapp family was there by him and allowed him to manage his mother’s estate and heal without worrying about his job, he said.
Stapp said that the dealership sees its customers as family, too. In several cases, Stapp has sold cars to up to four generations of a single family. In some cases, the children seek out his own sons — both of whom work for the dealership.
For Stapp Interstate Toyota, 50 years of serving the local community has been a joy that they are grateful for. For three generations, the Stapp family has focused on building relationships before selling cars and for Art Stapp and his sons Brion and Clint, that philosophy will continue far into the future.
