There is more room to roam, more space for show and tell at Doxon Toyota.

Auburn’s family-owned operation – the oldest Toyota dealership in the state – is applying the finishing touches to a major renovation at its Auburn Way North “auto row” location.

“It just feels good. It’s not over the top,” said Mark Doxon, fourth-generation owner, glancing at his dealership’s sparkling new showroom. “We invested back into our facility for our customers. We’ve given back to the people, to those who have supported us. We made it comfortable for our customers.”

The dealership has grown from 22,000 to 43,000 square feet, from 11 to 24 service stalls, and adopted a second building to accommodate its parts and service teams.

The expanded showroom allows more room for vehicles, customers and sales personnel. Tables, a coffee center and fireplace occupy one corner. A receptionist and large desk command the main floor to greet customers.

The dealership, established in 1938, has been selling Toyotas since 1964.

Doxon is planning a grand reopening celebration late August.

To learn more, visit www.doxontoyota.com.

New owners at Pines

A local family partnership purchased the tattered Auburn Pines Apartment complex on North Division Street, according to Tim Ufkes of Hendricks & Partners, who brokered the deal on behalf of the seller, HMS Land LLC of Everett and Seattle.

Auburn Pines LLC recently acquired the complex for $987,500, Ufkes said.

The 39-unit complex at 505 and 515 N. Division St. is vacant and had been condemned by the City.

Ufkes said the new Seattle-based owners plan a “full-blown renovation, interior and exterior. … It will look brand spanking new.”

Ufkes says the new owner and his management staff hope to lease their first units by fall. The new owner, as Ufkes explained, is a reputable owner and manager of apartment units in the area.

Auburn Pines, built in 1967, includes five one-bedroom and 34 two-bedroom units.

The complex had fallen into disrepair in recent years, forcing city officials to condemn the apartments.

Last August, 155-165 residents of the complex left, complying to a city order. City inspectors visited the buildings in June, and the City declared them unfit for human habitation.

Elsewhere

• The Rotary Club of Auburn raised $51,000 for scholarships this year that were distributed to 84 students from the Auburn area high schools.

The funds were raised through the club’s annual scholarship show, starring country singer Sara Evans.

• The Station Bistro now is serving dinner Friday and Saturday at its restaurant by the Auburn Transit Station, 110 2nd St SW. The menu includes prime rib, steaks, pasta and fresh fish.

The Bistro’s new hours are 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday-Wednesday.

• Inner Icon, a fitness studio off Auburn’s West Valley Highway, recently celebrated its two-year anniversary in pure fitness fashion – with an intensive circuit-style workout competition, a “Paleo Potluck” and barbecue hosted by owners and coaches David and Wynter Weaver.

The studio has grown beyond its humble beginnings into a 1,200-square-foot space to cater to its growing client base.

For more information, visit www.innericonfitness.com.

• The Best Western Peppertree Auburn Inn is leading the way in “going green” for the state lodging industry.

“(Customers) are always pushing us to go green ever since we’ve opened,” said Khara Nixon, general manager of the four-floor, 124-room, 10-suite motel at 401 8th St. SW. “They’ve taken notice. They’re excited about it.”

Auburn was one of seven hospitality properties in the state selected to receive a “green makeover” through a federally-supported program.

The Washington Lodging Association (WLA) chose Best Western Peppertree Inns and Columbia Hospitality as pilot companies to participate in its Greening Washington’s Lodging Industry program.

A Washington State Department of Ecology grant funded the green movement, which is intended to help hotels throughout the state save money, maximize marketing opportunities and capture new business.

“Auburn … and Peppertree have taken the mantle in all this,” said Jan Simon Aridj, president & CEO of the Washington Lodging Association.

Auburn is one of four Best Western Peppertree Inns to participate as pilots. The others are located in Spokane, Liberty Lake and Omak.

Rita Santillanes, owner of Best Western Peppertree Inns, was receptive to the green campaign.

With WLA’s backing, Auburn has served as a testing ground for many changes, such as installing low flow toilets, inserting rain gauges for its irrigation system, upgrading to energy efficient lighting, switching to green cleaners and installing a dehumidifier in the pool area.

“It’s still pretty new … but we’ve seen definite savings,” said Chase Santillanes, revenue manager for Best Western Peppertree Inns.

WLA hopes the successful greening program will grow. Officials look to implement a second phase of the pilot program to reach 100 properties between 2011 and 2013.

WLA has applied for additional federal funding to expand the program.