Straub History

The Straub family tradition began in 1945 when Ginger (Straub) Fato’s uncle, Glenn Straub Sr., founded the 16th Street Garage, an automotive repair facility in downtown Wheeling, WV. It was from these humble beginnings that the Straub Automotive philosophy of offering the best automotive value with the highest level of service was formed. When asked as to what he attributed his success, Straub answered, “Short profit and high volume with a guarantee of excellent service.”

In short order, the 16th Street Garage transformed into “The House of Silver,” a full-service automobile dealership in the completely remodeled Liberty Theater. It was here that the Straub family enjoyed success retailing a variety of different makes, including Willis Jeep, Nash, Rambler, Studebaker, Ambassador, Hudson, Plymouth, Pontiac, GMC, Toyota, and Honda. In 1978, the dealership was acquired by Fato’s father, Kenneth “Dick” Straub, and the business continued to grow and transform into what you see today.

The year 1989 was particularly memorable, as it welcomed both the arrival of the Hyundai brand and future President, Ginger Fato to the family-owned business. Fato worked closely alongside of her father until his eventual retirement in the year 2000. Plans were soon made to relocate the dealerships from downtown Wheeling, WV to the current location at the Highlands in Triadelphia, WV to accommodate the need for increased space and visibility.

Construction of the new dealerships began in November of 2009. At the same time, Straub Automotive acquired the Nissan franchise and quickly made plans to move this dealership to the Highlands as well. Both the Honda & Hyundai dealerships were completed in August of 2010, with the Nissan facility following in January of 2012. The growth did not stop there. In early 2015, Straub Automotive branched out into Marshall County, WV with the acquisition of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, & Ram dealership located in Glen Dale, WV. Renovations were completed shortly thereafter and the dealership was transformed into a state-of-the-art retail sales and service center. Sales at this location quickly soared and the executives at FCA took notice. Soon after in 2017, Straub Automotive added its second FCA branded location, Elm Grove Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Wheeling, WV to its family of dealerships. In 2018, the Ford Motor Company encouraged the Straub Automotive family’s acquisition of the neighboring Ford dealership in Moundsville, WV marking the second Straub location in Marshall County, WV.

Collectively, the Straub Automotive family operates six Automobile dealerships, two Collision Repair facilities, and a full-service Insurance agency. All of which combine to employ over 200 people in seven locations throughout the upper Ohio Valley.

The Fato family and the entire team at Straub Automotive remains committed to serving the automotive needs of the local communities and upholding the same values and traditions first established way back in 1945.