A new business in Foristell made a big splash with its grand opening June 14, establishing itself as one of the largest retail and service facilities in Warren County.The owners of the facility also displayed a commitment to the community with almost $34,000 in donations to local police and fire protection services.Truck Centers Inc. sells new and used semi trucks at the newly constructed dealership, and offers 21 service bays for semi trucks and other large vehicles.The Foristell facility is 52,000 square feet, including the service bays, a warehouse for parts storage, a sales floor and a loungewith amenities for truck industry customers.The dealership has a highly visible location on the Interstate 70 North Outer Road, between the Wright City and Foristell exits. It opened for business in early June, and hosted a grand opening ceremony, lunch and tours June 14.“We’ve been incredibly blessed,” said John Hopkins, Truck Centers’ chairman/CEO and majority owner, upon opening the facility.Hopkins said the company contributes to various local services in its communities. During the opening celebration, Truck Centers donated a total of almost $24,000 to the Foristell and Wright City police departments to purchase uniforms, body armor and equipment belts.“They basically said they want to be part of the community,” said Wright City Police Chief Matt Eskew. “I am absolutely looking forward to being able to put some new vests on my (officers).”Truck Centers also donated another $10,000 to Wright City Fire Protection District to purchase a search and rescue drone. Assistant Fire Chief Josh Riebe said the drone could eventually be used to help locate missing people, monitor fires using thermal imaging, or assess the situation at large vehicle crashes.Truck Centers previously leased a location in St. Peters, but Hopkins said they moved it to Foristell in order to expand and own the property for the dealership. Truck Centers also operates 11 other facilities in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.Customers will come from Troy, Wentzville, Warrenton and throughout St. Charles and St. Louis counties to get services at the Foristell shop, Hopkins said. The facility currently has 44 employees, and eventually will staff 55 to 60 team members, he said.The facility is a nearly $10 million investment for the company. The equipment and systems inside are state of the art. All 52,000 square feet is air-conditioned, even the large, open service bays for trucks. In cold months, radiant floor heating will kick in to keep the facility warm, explained Vice President of Sales Justin Hopkins.He added that up to half of the electricity for those systems and the rest of the building will be supplied by solar arrays mounted on the roof.A number of comforts are offered to the truck drivers who might have to make a stop there for service. There is a lounge and quiet room with recliner chairs to rest in. Showers and laundry machines with associated necessities are offered free of charge.Truck Centers has been a family business since 1970. Justin Hopkins is John Hopkins’ son. John’s mother, Madeline Hopkins, 86, was also at the grand opening. She was extremely active in the business for much of her life, John said. Helping cut the ribbon for the new facility was John’s grandson and Justin’s son, 6-year-old Justin Hopkins II. Several other family members also work for Truck Centers and were present at the grand opening, John Hopkins said.Truck Centers got its start in Highland, Ill., in 1970 with John’s father, Milton John Hopkins III, and two founding partners. In the decades since, the single location of the business has grown and added more facilities to its network.

A large number of people gathered June 14 to help Truck Centers Inc. celebrate the grand opening of its $10 million facility in Foristell. Cutting the ribbon are, from left, Truck Centers Vice President of Sales Justin Hopkins, his son Justin Hopkins II, and Foristell Mayor Joseph Goatley.

Record photo/Adam Rollins

Truck Centers Inc. Chairman/CEO John Hopkins, at left, speaks with Foristell Police Chief Doug Johnson, center, during the grand opening ceremony. Truck Centers donated almost $34,000 to local police and fire agencies. Also pictured is general manager Gerald McCombs.

Record photo/Adam Rollins