Smith Chevrolet Cadillac, Kamloops Hyundai sold to Kelowna's Bannister Group

Photo: Jaimie Gunn

Anthony Muzzillo, left, and Michael Schreiner, right, sold their two Kamloops dealerships.

Kelowna’s Bannister Automotive Group has added a pair of Kamloops dealerships to its portfolio.

Long-time Kamloops businessmen Anthony Muzzillo and Michael Schreiner have agreed to sell the historic Smith Chevrolet Cadillac as well as Kamloops Hyundai to the Bannister family.

Smith Chevrolet Cadillac has been part of the Muzzillo and Schreiner families’ histories for more than 70 years. Syd Smith, who would become a Canadian senator in 1957, purchased the dealership in 1937, and Albert Muzzillo and Roger Schreiner—Anthony’s and Michael’s fathers—both worked under Smith and his son, Gordon.

Albert Muzzillo and Roger Schreiner purchased the dealership in 1970 and sold it to their sons in 1990. Anthony Muzzillo and Michael Schreiner bought Kamloops Hyundai in 2007 and added it to their property on Notre Dame Drive.

“I feel great appreciation to all the people I have worked beside to make our business the success it has been,” Michael Schreiner said in a press release. “That success has allowed us to give back to our community.”

Muzzillo and Schreiner said they selected the new owners from other interested buyers across Canada based on the Bannisters’ commitment to continue doing business with the same respect and care for employees, customers, suppliers and local community.

“Our family is very humbled and honoured that Mike and Anthony chose our family to carry on family ownership of both dealerships,” Bannister Automotive Group partner Mark Bannister said. “Along with our business partners in Kamloops, (general manager) Arsalan and Terrilyn Zuhair, we are extremely excited to be part of the Kamloops/North Thompson community.

“We are grateful to be working alongside the outstanding team members of both dealerships. We couldn’t be more excited.”