BARRIE, Ont. – Central Sterling has opened a new Barrie location, breaking new ground for the Sterling Trucks franchise.

The site at the intersection of Hwy. 400 and Dunlop Street W., open since March, has up to 11 bays and is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

“This is brand new, vacant territory,” says dealership president Tom Dalrymple.

“We analyzed the Polk reports and the marketplace for the open territories and decided Barrie was our best place to locate.”

Both Dalrymple and his partner Gary Studley, who is vice-president of the organization, were originally looking for a Freightliner franchise, but were quick to jump at the chance to work the virgin territory.

Ten new units and six used units now sit on the three acres of paved site.

“The next immediate plans, I don’t know,” he says of whether potential expansions are already on their minds. “We’re just continuing to build on our customer base and expand the Sterling product.”

But there’s little question that they plan to keep business cooking over the summer.

They’ll hold regular barbecues every Friday afternoon, from noon to 2 p.m. n