Plaza Tire Service is celebrating 50 years in business in a big way but with a short move. Its William Street flagship property -- where the company first opened in 1963 -- is being replaced by a larger, newly built location on the opposite corner of the same block.
The new facility will open for business at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2013. It is located at 170 South Kingshighway, directly across from Hobby Lobby. The original store will close Saturday, April 27.
The Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based tire dealership is 15th on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list with 56 retail/commercial outlets.
The newest Plaza Tire Service store will feature expanded showroom and state-of-the-art equipped service areas including an area for large truck work. It will include 11 bays to continue serving its expanding customer base. Store hours will remain Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm., and Saturday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
The William Street location will immediately undergo demolition along with some adjacent buildings on the same side of the block.
More history
During the 1970’s, two 11,000-square foot warehouses and corporate offices were added along Christine Street, and the Arrow Head Tire building, which faced South Kingshighway, was purchased. In 1973 and 1977, the block was covered in flood water. By 1984, the existing 11-bay store was built, and the original car wash/tire store building was demolished.
In 1988, Plaza Tire Service purchased the former Cape Volkswagon dealership building along Kingshighway. On Nov. 19, 1994, a fire destroyed a large portion of the warehouse, and it was rebuilt within months. The corporate offices were relocated to the remodeled former Cape Volkswagon building in 1996, while the former offices were converted into an employee training facility by 1998.
In 2008, the corporate office and warehouse was relocated to its current location at 2075 Corporate Circle in Cape Girardeau. Finally, in 2010, the remaining two parcels along William Street were purchased, which allowed Plaza Tire Service to own the entire block on which its company began in 1963.
Plaza Tire Service has experienced more than just facility improvements over its 50 years in business. The company’s employee base has expanded to more than 370 people.
Plaza Tire Service’s history of success also has enabled it to support local organizations such as Capahas Baseball, local schools and other charities. Just as the community has supported its business through five decades of business, Plaza Tire Service is committed to giving back to local organizations.
All 56 Plaza Tire Service stores carry reputable brands including Bridgestone, Yokohama, Firestone, Dayton, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Dick Cepek, Falken and environmentally-friendly Nokian tires, along with custom wheels. The stores also employ skilled technicians that provide brake, battery, shock, strut, oil change, state inspection, tire rotation and balance and wheel alignment services. Transmission work and coolant and power steering flushes also are performed.
For more information on the founders and the history of Plaza Tire, check out these links:
