New England tire dealers: 'Let it snow!'

Dec. 18, 2003

Tire dealers in New England are hoping for more snow as their winter tire sales continue to explode.

"We're swamped," says Ed Hogan, owner of Hogan Tire Co. in Woburn, Mass.

A storm dumped three feet of snow on Woburn during the first week of December and a later storm left the city with more than a foot of snow.

"December has put us way ahead of last year's numbers. We're doing six weeks of business in three weeks."

Ernie Caramanico, owner of Amityville (N.Y.) Firestone, says his business is up as well.

"We're selling more snow tires than we did last year."

Harsh winter weather is contributing to the best December in Sanford, Maine-based Central Tire Co.'s 64-year history, according to Central Tire President Rene Therrien.

Sanford has received up to a foot of snow and surrounding areas have seen more than two feet.

"Everybody is back-logged," says Therrien.

Rival dealers are even calling him for tires.