The Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers outlet in Webster Groves, Mo., has been destroyed by a fire; the 27-year-old facility was the High Ridge, Mo.-based chain's first store.
The fire started in one of the outlet's 10 service bays and spread quickly to its warehouse and other vehicles within the building.
"The firemen did a remarkable job of confining the fire loss to the Dobbs building, with minimal damage to adjoining retail center stores," says Dobbs Tire President David Dobbs.
All shop employees have been deployed to other Dobbs locations.
Nobody was injured in the blaze.
Dobbs hopes to rebuild and reopen the facility by the end of the year.
The 34-store dealership also has plans to open two new facilities, now under construction, and relocate another outlet in 2003.
Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers is the 29th largest independent tire store chain in North America, according to Modern Tire Dealer data.
It recorded $74 million in sales during 2001.
