Alabama’s biggest automotive group celebrating a return to its roots
Long-Lewis began as a hardware store in Bessemer in 1887.
Chloe Mitchell 
Alabama’s largest automotive group is coming home. Long-Lewis Automotive Group has officially opened a new dealership in Bessemer, marking a significant return to the city where the company first laid its roots nearly 140 years ago.
A Historic Homecoming
Long-Lewis Chevrolet, located at 4990 Premiere Parkway, represents more than just a business expansion. The group acquired the facility earlier this year, formerly known as Step One Chevrolet.
"This is a truly special moment for our organization," said CEO Todd Ouellette. "Bessemer is where Long-Lewis began nearly 140 years ago, and returning here after 27 years is both meaningful and exciting. This isn’t just an acquisition — it’s a homecoming."
From Hardware to Highways
The Long-Lewis story dates back to 1887, when the company began as a hardware store in Bessemer. When Henry Ford first started issuing franchises, Long-Lewis Hardware was among the very first to be selected. The success of the automotive division was so significant that it was eventually housed in its own two-story building.
While the original hardware store eventually closed in 1982 and the automotive group moved operations to Hoover in the 1990s, the company has continued to grow across the state. Today, Long-Lewis Automotive Group maintains a robust footprint with dealerships in Hoover, Cullman, Alabaster, Prattville, and several locations throughout the Shoals.
