BERGER MURAL TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS

October 16th, 2024 by

Celebrating a Century of Excellence

In 2025, Berger Chevrolet is reaching an incredible milestone—100 years of serving the West Michigan community! This century of dedication, innovation, and service has not only established us as a leader in the automotive industry but has also woven us into the fabric of our local community. To honor this remarkable journey, we’re thrilled to announce a special project: a vibrant mural that captures our family-owned history and high-performance legacy, commissioned in collaboration with Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts.

A Legacy in the Making

Berger Chevrolet’s story began in 1925 when our founder, the late William “Bill” Berger, opened the dealership with a simple mission: to provide quality vehicles and exceptional service to our customers. Over the years, the dealership has grown and adapted, weathering challenges while remaining committed to its core values of integrity, community, and performance.

From the very beginning, Berger has been proudly family-owned, with multiple generations of the Berger family involved in the day-to-day operations. This family-oriented approach has fostered long-lasting relationships with customers, many of whom return to Berger Chevrolet for their automotive needs, generation after generation.

As we approach our centennial, it’s essential to not only celebrate our past but also to look forward. The mural symbolizes both our rich history and our commitment to the future—an artistic representation of the values that have guided us for 100 years.

The Creative Process: A Community Collaboration

To kick off the mural project, we wanted our employees to be part of the creative process, fostering a sense of ownership and community. To accomplish this, the Berger Team organized a paint-by-number day, allowing our team to contribute directly to the mural alongside our talented artist, Kevin Wolfrom.

This Grand Rapids-based artist has a knack for bringing stories to life through his artwork. He was selected not only for his artistic prowess but also for his ability to connect with the community. During the paint-by-number day, employees were given the chance to step outside their usual roles and engage in a fun, hands-on activity that highlighted the importance of Berger Chevrolet’s teamwork and collaboration.

Michelle Dunaway from FOX7 Morning Mix joined us for the day, too. As she mingled with our employees and learned about the mural’s significance, Michelle captured the spirit of the event, showcasing how our team came together to celebrate our history and future. Her coverage highlighted not just the mural but also the people who make Berger Chevrolet a special place to work and to do business. 

Berger employees painting the mural

Berger employees painting the mural

The Mural: An Artistic Reflection of Our Journey

The mural itself is a visual narrative that represents our dealership’s history, commitment to high-performance vehicles, and roots in the West Michigan community. It features iconic imagery that reflects the evolution of the automotive industry, the passion for performance, and the community support that has been instrumental to our success.

The design incorporates various elements—classic cars from our early years, symbols of the high-performance vehicles we sell today, and nods to the West Michigan landscape that has been our home for a century. Kevin’s artistic vision captures the essence of Berger Chevrolet, transforming our dealership’s exterior into a canvas that celebrates our legacy.

Working with Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts has been a wonderful partnership, and their commitment to promoting local artists and engaging the community aligns perfectly with our values. Together, we have created a mural that not only beautifies our building but also tells the story of our dealership’s journey over the past 100 years.

Join Us in the Celebration!

We invite you to experience the mural in person at our dealership, located at 2525 28th Street Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Snap a picture in front of the mural and share your experience on social media! Don’t forget to tag us—we’d love to see your photos and hear your stories.

As we gear up for a year of celebration, we have a series of events and activities planned that honor our legacy and showcase our commitment to the community. From special promotions to community outreach initiatives, we’re excited to engage with you, our valued customers, and give back to the West Michigan community that has given us so much.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate 100 years, we also look to the future. The automotive industry is evolving at a rapid pace, with advancements in technology, sustainability, and customer experience. At Berger Chevrolet, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of these changes while maintaining the values that have guided us for a century.

Whether it’s through embracing electric vehicles, enhancing our customer service experience, or continuing to engage with our community, we are dedicated to ensuring that Berger Chevrolet remains a trusted name in West Michigan for generations to come.

A Heartfelt Thank You

From Berger Chevrolet, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey—our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and supportive community members. Your trust and support have been the driving force behind our success, and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without you.

Thank you to Lions & Rabbits for their wonderful partnership, and a special thank you to Kevin Wolfrom for his artistry and vision in bringing our mural to life. We are excited to share this beautiful tribute to our history with all of you.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, let’s look back on the memories we’ve created together and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead. Here’s to another 100 years of excellence at Berger Chevrolet! 

For more updates and to see Michelle Dunaway’s segment on our mural, tune in to Fox 17 Morning Mix or visit our website. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Berger employees, artist, and community members in front of the in progress Berger mural

Berger employees, artist, and community members in front of the in progress Berger mural

The finished Berger mural

The finished Berger mural

 

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