Generations of St. Louis families have turned to the same place to start their journeys on the open road.
At Apache Village RV, what began as a small, family-run operation has grown into one of the region’s most trusted RV dealerships. The company’s success is grounded in relationships, reliability, and an appreciation for what travel represents in people’s lives.
With 50 years in business, the company is reaching a significant milestone and stepping into its next chapter with the recent opening of a second location in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Why Customers Keep Coming Back Decades Later
Apache Village RV’s story begins in 1976, when Ray and Mary Ellen Meyer opened the business. A decade later, their son John saw potential growth in the RV industry. He took out a loan and purchased the company at just 25 years old with his wife, Barb, who was pregnant with their first child, Megan. They expanded the company’s offerings from pop-up campers to include travel trailers. The years that followed brought continued growth, with more than 500 campers, including pop-ups, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes, along with expanding the property to span more than 8 acres.
That growth has been recognized across the industry. John was awarded the prestigious Founders Award from one of the top RV manufacturers, Jayco. Apache Village RV was selected among dealers nationwide and recognized during a ceremony in Las Vegas. The dealership has also earned distinction as the No. 1 fifth wheel dealer in North America, and it’s been recognized as “Best of the Midwest.”
“We built our entire business on customer service and word of mouth,” says Meg Powell, advertising manager at Apache Village RV Center. “We’re not here just to make a sale. We want to build relationships.”
The business is built on customer satisfaction and relationships, with an emphasis on the customer experience. Instead of a high-pressure sales environment, the dealership creates a comfortable space where families can explore options at their own pace.
That difference is clear to such customers as Lee Robinson, who first visited the dealership in 2020. “It was a family atmosphere,” Robinson recalls. “It was welcoming, warm, and there wasn’t any pressure. You felt like they were there to help you.”
The dealership has become a place that customers revisit, sometimes across decades. “We’ve seen families grow up with us,” Powell says. “They might start with a small trailer, then come back years later with kids, and eventually upgrade again. We’re part of that journey.”
Robinson has experienced that progression firsthand, returning to upgrade their RV and continuing to stay connected with the team. “You really feel like you’re part of the family when you’re there,” Robinson says.
The experience leaves a lasting impression on customers. “In an era where the internet allows a buyer to make most of a major decision before even stepping into a showroom, it’s refreshing to have a sales experience that feels comfortable,” says customer Kelly Alexander. “Apache Village and Grady [Powell, a sales professional at Apache Village] made us feel like our business was valued and never taken for granted.”
Service That Keeps the Journey Moving
The business takes a long-term approach, prioritizing service and a commitment to getting customers on the road. “If someone has a trip coming up and something isn’t working, we’ll do everything we can to make sure they don’t miss it,” Powell says.
Robinson has relied on this level of support while traveling. “If we’ve ever had an issue, we could call, and they would walk us through it or take care of it right away,” Robinson says. “It’s great service.”
That promise is backed by the Route 66 RV Network, a nationwide group of dealerships that provides priority service for members. Customers can quickly get help, even while traveling far from home. This approach shows a deep understanding of what RV travel represents—it’s less about the purchase and more about the lifestyle.
Bringing the Experience Closer to Home
After decades in Hazelwood, the team saw an opportunity to expand west and better serve the metro area.
AVRV in O’Fallon, Missouri, represents the next chapter. Located on 10 acres, the new dealership is designed by the Meyer family from the ground up. The youngest sibling of the three, Mick Meyer, is running the location, while Jack oversees the flagship store in Hazelwood.
“It was a project we worked on together for over a year,” Powell says. “We wanted it to feel different, more open, more inviting, and better for both our customers and our team.”
The new space allows for expanded inventory, improved service capacity, and a more accessible location for customers across the region. The Hazelwood location remains a destination, while the O’Fallon dealership brings Apache Village RV closer to where many families live and travel.
The Rise of RV Travel for Modern Families
Interest in RV travel has grown in recent years as families seek more flexible and accessible ways to explore.
“You can just get in and go,” Powell says. “You don’t have to book flights or hotels. It’s your space, your schedule.”
That flexibility has made RVs especially appealing for families with children, along with retirees and grandparents looking to spend more time together on the road.
These experiences are personal for Powell. “My core memories growing up are in an RV with my family, hiking, sitting around a fire, just spending time together,” Powell says. “That’s what we want for other families, too.”
What Three Generations of Family Leadership Looks Like Today
Today, Apache Village RV is in its third generation of leadership, with family members working across every part of the business, including Meg’s husband, Grady. Many employees have grown with the company, with some starting as teenagers. It’s a culture that feels less like a dealership and more like a community.
“Everyone here is connected in some way,” Powell says. “It really is a family environment.”
The business continues to grow, guided by the values that built it. As inventory expands and more families discover RV travel, the commitment is to provide care that feels personal and consistent.
Apache Village RV is where many of those experiences, memories, and milestones begin.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Apache Village RV. To learn more about their locations, inventory, and services, visit apachevillagerv.com.
