Foothills Toyota

About Us

The Nelson name in the automotive business goes back one hundred years to Pam’s Great-Great and Great Grandfathers, Hans and Nelse Nelson who immigrated to the United States from Sweden in the late 19th Century. They owned a livery stable with horses for hire in Ballard. The transportation business continued on with Nelse’s son, Stanley Nelson Sr. who in 1915, owned and operated a one-pump gas station, tire store and the only jitney shuttle service connecting Ballard and Seattle at that time. In 1922, he became a Chevrolet dealer when GM came by and asked if he wanted a franchise. He did.

Pam’s father, Stan Nelson Jr. set out to buy his own Chevrolet dealership in Sedro Woolley in 1938. He had no assets and no credit to his name; His father told him to borrow twice as much as he needed and then to pay back half within a month. By doing that he would establish his credit; he asked for $4,000. What is so impressive is that Stan did this when he was barely 23 years old and became the youngest Chevrolet Dealer in the entire country at that time!

Pam Nelson purchased Foothills Pontiac Buick Toyota in 1985 and kept businesses moving for over twenty years until 2006 when construction began for the new building. Foothills Toyota Scion opened the brand new facility on January 12, 2007 after less than one year from groundbreaking.

The Nelson family has been in the automobile industry and serving the Pacific Northwest since 1922 and Foothills Toyota Scion was established in 1985. We welcome you to the Foothills family.