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Murray • Larry would have loved to be here.
There were knowing nods of assent among the crowd in a spacious showroom each time a speaker noted Wednesday how proud the late Larry Miller would be to see this newest home of Larry H. Miller Toyota, the first dealership he opened, 32 years ago.
"He'd be so pleased," said widow Gail, who has carried on as owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies since her husband's death, at age 64, in February 2009. Shedding a tear, something Larry did easily, she added, "This is an emotional day for me. There will not be another opening like this … because this [Toyota dealership] is where it all started."
Where the Millers' business went from there is now an integral part of Utah history — more than 50 car dealerships, a pro basketball team, its 19,000-seat arena, a baseball team and its stadium, a motorsports park, television and radio stations, movie theaters, restaurants, retail stores, lending and insurance companies, an advertising agency and a catering service.
This newest dealership building is part of a $100 million company investment that will result in four Larry H. Miller dealerships — individually representing the brands Chevrolet, Toyota, Lexus and Honda — lining up side-by-side on the west side of State Street between 5500 South and 5900 South.
"It will give a true sense of an 'Auto Mile,' which is good for the company and good for the city," said Paul Nygaard, senior vice president of marketing for Larry H. Miller Management Co.
Murray Mayor Dan Snarr agreed, adding tears of his own while reflecting on Larry Miller's legacy, one of which is the strong sales tax base that has made Murray City a model of stability for decades.
"A city's only as great as its peoples' desires to invest in the future," said Snarr, calling Miller "an inspiration for knowing how important it is to not only make money but to share that money with others to make the community better."
But to share money, you have to make money, and Dave Goldberg, assistant general manager of the Toyota region that includes Utah, said the new building that formally opened Wednesday would only help the Millers' automotive business experience even greater successes.
"A building of this size and magnitude creates a presence, shows a commitment to the consumer," he said. "It provides a place you want to come and do business."
Toyota showed its appreciation for the automaker's long-term relationship with the Millers by presenting the family with a Kitana sword, the kind used by Samurai warriors in 12th- and 13th-century Japan; an American flag that Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch had flown over the U.S. Capitol; and framed pages of the original dealership agreement signed in 1979 by Miller and Toyota executives.
Those mementos probably will be hung on the walls around the natural light-filled showroom, which is overlooked by a panel of photographs that mix images of the Millers — Larry and Gail as a young couple, a young Miller family camping, an older one posing in front of the original dealership, Larry and Gail holding an Olympic torch — with shots of Bryce and Arches national parks, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' temple in downtown Salt Lake City.
"This building holds a special place in my heart," said Greg Miller, who succeeded his father as president of the company, challenging his employees to "step up and maximize the opportunity" afforded by the new auto complex.
"It's so much bigger and grander, that the expectations are going to be greater than they have been in the past."
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Larry H. Miller Group
The four Murray dealerships between 5500 South and 5900 South employ about 500 of the 4,000 individuals working for The Larry H. Miller Group of Cos.
The first Miller Toyota dealership opened at 5680 S. State St. in 1979. It later moved to 5800 S. State St. before shifting to its current location at 5650 S. State St.
The Chevrolet dealership opened in January, the Honda dealership's opening is set for December, and the Lexus dealership will open by December 2012.
Total cost of the upgrade: $100 million.
Lance Barraclough, general manager of Miller Toyota, began with the company as a 21-year-old salesman.
Gift bags were handed out Wednesday by girls on the Murray Magic fastpitch softball team, which the Millers sponsor, continuing the family's long-term support of that sport.