Plaza Tire celebrates 50 with a new flagship store

Jan. 9, 2013

Plaza Tire Service says that as it celebrates its golden anniversary throughout 2013, big changes will come to its original, 50-year-old location on William Street in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Second-generation owners Mark Rhodes and Scott Rhodes, sons of Plaza Tire Service Founder Vernon “Pee Wee” Rhodes, announced its flagship store at 2149 William Street, Cape Girardeau, will be moved to the opposite side of its block to accommodate a major commercial property development. The current location is where the company was first established 50 years ago.

The new Flagship Plaza Tire Service will open at the intersection of South Kingshighway and Good Hope Street, on the opposite side and corner of its current position. Opening the new Plaza Tire Service store will highlight the company’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration.

The old store will not close until construction of the new store is complete, and the new store will open immediately. The goal is to maintain customer service throughout the entire construction and relocation process.

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.

Vernon “Pee Wee” Rhodes originally established Plaza Tire Service as Plaza Car Wash in 1963, but the company gradually expanded to provide tire services. The first tire services were performed with a tire changer and jack on the sidewalk outside the car wash. Over its 50 years in business, the company’s employee base has expanded to over 370 people in 51 tire stores, a corporate office and distribution center.

The company opened its 51st store in 2011. Plaza Tire Service is the 21st largest independent tire store chain in the United States, according to the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list.