After months of waiting on the part of planners, financiers, mechanics and riders, Gateway BMW is set to open for their first day of business today, July 31. The entirely new shop, located at 2690 Masterson Road, will fill a dealership void that has frustrated riders for nearly a year-and-a-half.

Originally slated to open in the spring, the dealership finally has secured the necessary paperwork, site and approval to conduct business.

"We've spent eight months trying to get this right," said Dave Hunter, owner. "We're not going to let a day or two drive us crazy."

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"When the dealership closed, I spent half of 2006 waiting for someone to step up," Hunter said. "I talked to the appropriate people and said that I had the finances to do it, but didn't want to quit my job."

Instead, he teamed up with Bob Honz, formerly of BMW Motorrad. Honz will be the general manager, while Hunter provides the funding.

"As an investor, I tend to watch my money," Hunter said. "This is not, however, my livelihood. This is not two guys coming in to start a business," he added, "It is two guys feeding a passion. Bob knows what he's doing...he's passionate and he's living a dream."

For Hunter and Honz, it came down to a mutual desire to have a BMW motorcycle dealer in town. They made contact with BMW Motorrad last September. Other interested parties attended, but the team was confident.

"We walked in there because we knew we were meant to get this franchise," Hunter said. "Our customers are not beginners. They are passionate and bright and we can't wait to serve them. We want to reconnect with all the loyal BMW riders that have been waiting for us, and then we want to tell new folks."

In October, they flew to New Jersey to discuss their plan. Two weeks later, they received a package saying that they were the choice candidate. By March, they had a letter of intent. That's when they got serious about looking for a shop location. The building they chose is very visible from I-170, and is located just yards from the southbound lanes just south of St. Charles Rock Road.

"We're building this business from scratch, and we're proud of that," Hunter said. "I'll be there almost every Saturday, and they can't make me leave!"

Wireless Internet will be available in the building, and efforts have been made to make it a meeting place for riders.

As General Manager, Bob Honz has put together a staff of employees who are riders, too.

"We've taken motorcyclists with diverse skill sets away from other jobs to come and work at a motorcycle dealership," Honz said. "We know that their talents and abilities will transfer over to help us serve our customers."

After a few months of operating, Gateway BMW will host an open house event. The BMW Owners News Media Staff will keep you posted!

Call Gateway BMW at 314-427-9090 or access www.gatewaybmw.com.