Clearwater, Fla.-based Don Olson Tire & Auto Centers acquired Fort Myers-based Karkey's Tire Service Inc. Nov. 1 and South Trail Tire Inc. of Sarasota Sept. 1 as part of its expansion along Florida's west coast, Chairman and CEO Larry C. Morgan said. The acquisitions give Don Olson 63 locations, all in Florida.
South Trail Tire, an 11-bay, full-service tire and auto center, was owned by Dale Allen and Ray Hord. Mr. Allen remains with the business; Mr. Hord left to pursue other interests.
Karkey's Tire Service had four retail stores and a truck tire center, but its Cape Coral, Fla., store has been closed because of its proximity to another Don Olson outlet.
Karkey's was owned by Pat Ross and her son, Steve Harrell. Mr. Harrell has joined Don Olson Tire and is responsible for commercial sales in southwest Florida.
Kim Lorenz and John Winkes, owners of Seattle-based Puget Sound Tire, bought Sugg's Tire Service of Wenatchee, Wash., from Mike Sugg on Jan. 4. The new owners, who operate 14 locations in Alaska, Portland and Washington, renamed the outlet Sound Tire.
According to General Manager Bill Andruss, Sound Tire carries Michelin, Cooper, General and Bridgestone brand passenger, farm, truck and off-the-road tires, and performs commercial, farm and automotive service.
Southwest Tyre Ltd.'s 2-year-old retail outlet in Silver City, N.M., became a Big O Tires Inc. franchisee Sept. 1 and the dealership is planning to complete construction of a second Big O retail outlet in Deming, N.M., by the end of the summer, according to company co-owner Dean Sippy.
Southwest Tyre's commercial truck center, also located in Silver City, was not involved in the conversion.
Tires Plus Groupe, based in Burnsville, Minn., opened a franchise store in New Ulm, Minn., Oct. 15. The store is operated by franchisee Curt Miller.
Tires Plus now has 55 locations throughout the North Central states.
Honors
Harrisonburg, Va.-based Ray Carr Tires Inc. garnered the Harrisonburg Christmas parade's ``Best Overall Entry'' honors with a float featuring a green Christmas tree made of tires and decorated with hats, mittens and scarves purchased with employee donations.
After the float appeared in four holiday parades, the winter clothing was donated to local social service agencies.
Ray Carr Tires employees have been making floats for local parades since November 1992.
Citizenship
In a state that outlaws billboards, Consumer Tire Auto Centers General Manager Lou Cardoza has found an attractive way for his Wahiawa, Hawaii-based dealership to fight drunken driving.
He has commissioned the painting of two $700 murals on the sides of his Wahiawa and Waipahu, Hawaii, stores. The murals display the words, ``Don't drink and drive,'' with the universal ``no drinking'' symbol and the Uniroyal tiger.
The murals received local press coverage and support from law enforcement agencies and the local M.A.D.D. chapter. Mr. Cardoza said he will paint murals on two stores on Oahu.
Consumer Tire is a subsidiary of San Jose, Calif.-based Tire Masters International Inc.