Consumer Tire Inc., a two-store, family-owned independent tire dealer based in Northeast Ohio, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. Food, prizes and special discounts to thank valued customers will be part of the celebration.
So will anniversary sale prices, which will be offered from March 25 through March 31, 2012, and will coincide with the official grand opening of a new Consumer Tire location at 216 Cherry Ave. in Chardon, Ohio. A dogs-and-brats cookout at the new facility will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 30.
"It's great to be celebrating 50 years with a major expansion, and we really want to thank our customers,'' says DD Coley, president of Consumer Tire and daughter of co-founder John Kantz. "For our company, however, the celebration is tempered by the difficult decision to close operations in the city of Euclid, where Consumer Tire began in 1962."
Recalling the early days of the business, Coley says her father relied on word of mouth as his best advertising. His motto: It's all how you treat your customers.
"When people call us for advice, they're calling a trained professional. That's what keeps us in business," adds Coley, a member of the board of the Ohio Tire Dealers Association.
Consumer Tire principals also include family members David Kantz, Bruce Kantz and Al Almasi, and outside partner Mike Vidra. John Kantz retired in 1984 and now lives in Willowick, Ohio. Another founding partner, John Korney, died in the early years of the business.
Customers and friends may visit stores now to register for the free drawing. Prizes include a 55-inch television, tickets to the Indy 500, Goodyear blimp rides and more.
For more information, visit www.consumertire.com.
