Belle Tire Distributors Inc. is expanding its retail footprint to Indiana. The company plans to open two stores in South Bend and one outlet in Mishawaka by early fall of 2015.
The company says the new stores mark its first move into new territory since expanding from Michigan to northern Ohio 30 years ago. Belle Tire says it will open the locations in the summer through early fall of this year.
The new Indiana locations will be at 3660 N. Portage Ave. and 4401 S. Michigan St. (proposed number pending division of the Michigan Street property) in South Bend, and 4811 Grape Road in Mishawaka. The stores are expected to create more than 50 jobs.
All the stores are new construction. Work has begun on the Portage Avenue site, which is scheduled to open first. Construction has also begun on the Mishawaka site. The Michigan Street site will open after the Mishawaka store is complete.
New stores typically take between 90 and 120 days to complete, barring delays, according to Belle Tire. The company does not disclose its investment in new locations.
The company says the new stores are a "natural fit" geographically. "The location is a natural fit for us with its proximity to the expressway, and it is a nice extension of our presence on the west side of Michigan."
The new 10,000-square-foot locations will include 10 service bays, two full-alignment pits and a mezzanine warehouse built to hold more than 3,000 tires. In addition to tire and mechanical sales and service, Belle plans to offer auto glass repair and replacement. The new locations will include amenities such as free Wi-Fi and charging stations for customers’ wireless devices.
The company says it understands the importance of not only offering a great selection of tires and automotive service, but also building relationships with customers in this brand new market.
“We’re the new kids in town, and we understand the importance of not just opening our doors for business, but truly embedding ourselves as members of the Indiana community,” says Don Barnes III, president of retail operations, Don Barnes III.
“We are so proud to hire our new local teams and help employ some of the area’s best technicians, mechanics, salespeople and other automotive professionals.”
Allen Park, Mich.-based Belle Tire was founded in 1922 when it opened the first Belle Tire location in Detroit. Today, the family-owned company has expanded to more than 90 locations across Michigan and Ohio.
Belle Tire is eighth on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list of top independent tire dealers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.belletire.com.
