One of the area’s most treasured locally-owned car dealerships is making waves. Suncoast Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM has officially opened its incredible new state-of-the-art facility in Seminole, featuring 157,200 square feet of new showrooms, parking decks, service facilities and more.

The family-owned and operated business is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, making this the perfect exclamation point on the year’s celebrations. Suncoast CJDR is located at 8755 Park Blvd and the sparkling new showroom can be visited daily.

The star of the dealership’s expansion is undoubtedly the new Jeep showroom. Jeep lovers of all types and ages will want to make the pilgrimage for this experience. Measuring more than 12,500 square feet, the new Jeep showroom provides customers with a one-stop shop for all their Jeep needs. It’s an incredible way to experience the full lineup, from the Gladiator, Wagoneer and Compass to the classic Wrangler and Grand Cherokee.

The new showroom doubles down on Suncoast CJDR’s status as the go-to dealership in the area for Jeeps.

Massive on-site selection of new vehicles

Of course, the expansion is far more than that. The new facility also has an upgraded, 31,500 service center, complete with four-lane service drives and built-in quick checks, providing customers with faster and more reliable service visits. It also contains 68 service bays, including three heavy-duty and fast service bays.

Meanwhile, the addition of second and third-level parking decks has massively expanded the size of their new vehicle inventory. The result is one of the most extensive auto shopping experiences anywhere in the region. Whatever you’re looking for, they have it. And if you’re not sure what you want, you get the best possible range of choices, setting you up to take the perfect car or truck home right on the spot.

All together, the expansion makes the local star a must-visit for all your automotive needs.

“We are proud to have been serving Pinellas County for over five decades,” said Wayne Schmidt Jr., co-owner of Suncoast Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM. “This investment reflects our dedication to providing a cutting-edge environment for purchasing and servicing vehicles.”

In all the years of success, and through four renovations to the dealership property, Suncoast CJDR has stayed true to its roots: a family-run business that takes care of its customers as if they were a part of the family, too. It’s that love-for-your-neighbor mentality that helped make St. Pete so special, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the people keeping it alive today.

Suncoast CJDR is one of Pinellas County’s oldest family-run businesses

With so much change in the St. Pete area over the last few years, we’re making an effort to showcase the many wonderful businesses and families that have been here for the long haul. Family-run companies with local roots help keep our city special, and they make it easy to support local.

One of the most successful (and popular) family-owned businesses over the last half-century has been Suncoast Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM (8755 Park Blvd). Owned and run by the Schmidt family since opening in 1975 (with two generations now working at the dealership every day), 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Suncoast CJDR serving the community.

The dealership has been a stalwart over the decades, originally opened by Wayne F. Schmidt, Sr., and still operated by his children and grandchildren today. The local patriarch rocketed to success, twice honored with the Walter P Chrysler Award recognizing the top Chrysler dealer in the United States. He was also nominated as “Time” magazine Dealer of the Year, and he was even the former president of both the St. Petersburg Automotive Dealers Association and Southeast Chrysler dealers’ advertising association.

This newest expansion, coinciding with their 50th anniversary, enhances Suncoast CJDR’s reputation as Pinellas County’s go-to family-run dealership.