Walser Automotive Group says its Burnsville location is a top-volume dealer in the Twin Cities market.

And this week, Walser finalized the shift of some of its used-vehicle resources into turning new models.

On Tuesday, the group announced the opening of its second Subaru dealership in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro.

Walser says the new dealership is the first Subaru dealership for the St. Paul market.

The nearly 50,000-square foot facility is located at 740 S. Concord St., South St. Paul and features 26 service bays.

The location, which will initially employ 42 people, is also Walser Automotive Group’s second Subaru location.

Throughout Minnesota and Kansas, Walser operates 25 dealerships featuring major and luxury brands.

Walser Subaru St. Paul general manager Jeff Holmquist said the fact that the Burnsville location is a top-volume dealer for the Twin Cities market was a factor in the opening of the second location. 

The new location, which sits on a 10-acre site, was the former site of Walser’s reconditioning center for its used-car operations.

“Subaru is ready to grow their market in St. Paul, but more importantly they know how [Walser] takes care of its customers and how it engages in the community,” Holmquist said in a news release. That community involvement includes Walser’s work with hometown charities such as Rein in Sarcoma and Make-a-Wish Minnesota.

Holmquist said his company was excited to sell and service vehicles for South St. Paul while also getting involved with the community.

“This is a good partnership between Walser and Subaru’s culture,” he said.

Part of that culture includes dog-loving customers, and the new location includes an outdoor dog park, which will be completed in the coming weeks. The company also described the interior of the store as dog-friendly.

Walser also commits 5% of all pre-tax earnings to the Walser Foundation each year. Those funds help support local nonprofit education and workforce development initiatives.