BURLINGTON, Vt. (Dec. 23, 2003) — Goss Tire Co. has moved into a new market in Vermont, hoping to reach young professionals with more disposable income.
Owner Terry Sheahan said the leased, four-bay store in St. Albans—Goss Tire's eighth store—will be replaced in three years by a new, six-bay building on a different site. St. Albans recently has become a bedroom community for Burlington with many young professionals living there.
“It's a market we've always wanted to be in, and the opportunity finally presented itself,” Mr. Sheahan told Tire Business.
Goss Tire's usual customers generally are value or value-plus customers, though those who shop at the new store are likely to have more money and be willing to pay for good service, Mr. Sheahan said.
Goss Tire also plans to build two new stores and close the existing stores in those markets. The new stores should be built in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Williston, Vt., in about six months. Mr. Sheahan also hopes to open a ninth store by year-end 2004.