Central Tire & Auto marks 90 years in business

March 30, 2007

Sinking Spring, Pa.-based Central Tire & Auto Service is celebrating its 90th year in business, making it one of the oldest surviving independent tire dealerships.

Central Tire was started by Oscar Mogel -- out of a row house. Mogel's specialty was selling tires and rims for the Ford Model T. Lacking a proper service bay, he initially changed tires on the street.

In 1955, Mogel and his sons moved the business to another location. The facility was unique for the time in that it had one door to enter the service bays and another door at the other end of the building for completed cars to exit.

While at this location, the third generation of the Mogel family joined the business, and in the early '80s added auto repair work to the dealership's menu.

In 1989, the Mogels added a second location. Two years later, the firm's first store was closed and all operations and employees were moved to the Sinking Spring shop.

Central Tire -- which sells Goodyear, Dunlop and Republic brand tires -- now employs a fourth generation of Mogels.