COLUMBIA, S.C. — Midas franchisee Palmetto Garage Works (PGW) L.L.C. has acquired Nuttall Tire & Auto Repair Center in Columbia and will be converting the independent dealership with 30 service bays into one of the largest franchise locations in Midas International's network.
PGW also recently acquired a SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service location on James Island in Charleston, S.C., bringing the company's store count to three SpeeDee locations, four combination SpeeDee/Midas locations and 27 Midas shops.
Nuttall Tire was considered the largest independent tire dealership in Columbia, according to PGW President and COO Gus Herlong.
In 2021, Nuttall Tire moved into a former Toyota car dealership facility that sits on nearly five acres of land with a 24,000-sq.-ft. main building with 30 service bays, and four other buildings on the property available for future use.
PGW purchased the family-owned business, which opened in 1984, and the property from the third-generation owner, Herlong said.
"These guys have been in business for nearly 44 years and wanted our local ownership to be the operators to live their legacy on," he told Tire Business.
Herlong said his company will convert the business to a Midas operation over time, allowing employees and customers to adapt to changes in brands, invoices, uniforms and signage.
Herlong said the shop is operating with 28 bays and 17 employees, but 20-plus employees may be needed to meet current business demand, "so we are actively hitting the market to locate great quality candidates to join our team."
While not yet needed, there is room for the shop to expand operations to 36 or 38 bays out of the several buildings on the property, and there is space for future growth, subleasing and other business opportunities, he said.
"We have many future ideas to vet out in potentially opening additional building(s) for fleet centers, additional service bays, maybe a large truck center for boom trucks/bucket trucks/etc., possibly an ADAS center to attack that emerging market more actively, etc."
PGW also plans to adapt the shop's operating hours to mirror its other Midas shops, extending weekday hours until 6 p.m. and opening on Saturdays.
"So, if executed well, we fully intend for this business to grow significantly and quickly rival the top spot for the highest-volume Midas (store)," Herlong said.
PGW said it has invested about $200,000 for new computers/work terminals, roof repairs, demolition to create a large inventory room, new inventory racking for additional tire storage, a new employee breakroom and inspecting/servicing all bay doors and vehicle lifts.
PGW is also adding 860 tires to the shop's large tire stock room and purchased five 2025 Chevy Trailblazers (a $150,000 expense) to serve as loaner cars for customers.
"In the near future, we are slating to invest further in added equipment, new signage, new paint branding, upgrading customer waiting areas, new customer waiting room furniture, implementing DVI (digital vehicle inspections), etc.," said Herlong, adding he is anticipating an additional $200,000 investment.
