'Mr. Motorhome' moves RV dealership to Elk Grove

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Lon Lundgren, better known as "Mr. Motorhome," has acquired the former Walt Davis Chevrolet showroom in Elk Grove for $1.6 million. He moved his dealership from Mack Road and Highway 99 in Sacramento.

Ben van der Meer

Staff Writer- Sacramento Business Journal

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Escrow won't close until today on an Elk Grove property visible from Highway 99, but the new owner is already in business there.

Lon Lundgren, perhaps better known for his ubiquitous "Mr. Motorhome" commercials in the region, has moved his dealership for used recreational vehicles to 9501 E. Stockton Boulevard. Previously the dealership was at Mack Road and Highway 99 in Sacramento.

"We've completely remodeled the facility, even put in marble floors," Lundgren said. "It's as clean a looking a dealership as you would ever find."

For several years, the 30,000-square-foot property was the Walt Davis Chevrolet dealership. After Davis died in a 1990 plane crash, the dealership foundered. Dow Investments, made up of surviving Davis family members, kept the vacant property.

Bill Ayres of CBRE Sacramento, who brokered the sale with Mike Luca of CBRE, said the timing for an RV dealership on the site made sense. Though sales fell during the Great Recession, RVs are on the rise again, fueled by both retiring Baby Boomers and lower gas prices.

"It's nice to have the wind at your back rather than the wind in your face," Ayres said. He added the property is the only one zoned for an automotive sales use outside the city's auto mall. "I think he'll be fantastically successful there."

Lundgren bought the property for $1.6 million and made improvements including new signs, resurfacing the parking lot and fencing, Ayres said. In addition to sales, the dealership will also have parts and service for RVs.

And in another trademark for his dealerships, the "guard puppies" will be there to greet visitors, Lundgren said.

Ben van der Meer covers real estate, development, construction, transportation and the business of sports for the Sacramento Business Journal.