Rent to Own Auto Center to Open Later This Month

Company representatives at Rent to Own Auto Center at the corner of Jeffco Boulevard and McClain Drive are hoping to open their doors on Feb. 20.

The business is located at the former site of Arnold Rental at 1204 Jeffco Blvd. Although the property is zoned commercial, Arnold required the business to obtain a conditional-use permit .

Randy Blount, the company's managing partner, addressed the concerns at a city council meeting, but said the addition of the buffer would require the company to tear down the building and move it. The council approved the permit on a 5-to-3 vote and sent the buffer requirement to the Board of Adjustment for consideration.

The board unanimously approved a variance to that condition at a recent meeting since adding a 15-foot buffer was not feasible.

To further address residents' concerns about test drives being conducted in their neighborhood, Blount erected a "Left Turn Only" sign on the property so cars exiting his business would have to turn left on McClain. The sign will direct traffic toward Jeffco Boulevard and away from the subdivision.

Rent to Own Auto Center is a new concept in the St. Louis area in which customers can lease a car for a day, a week, a month or more without a credit card. If a car is leased for four years, the lessee is offered the title - at no charge - because the four-year payments cover the cost of the vehicle.

Arnold will be the company's second location. The other Rent to Own Auto Center is at 2725 Veterans Memorial Parkway in St. Charles.