SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2012) — Ramona Tire & Service Centers is preparing to open retail store No. 15 next spring, in San Clemente, and has three contracts on three other properties in southern California for additional expansion.
In San Clemente, Ramona is renovating a former tire store on El Camino Real/State Route 8 to its standards and is targeting Feb. 1 for the opening, according to Vice President Chris Wyborny. The store will have nine bays and cover 5,000 square feet and will open with 14 employees, he added.
The location, a former Delta Tire store, has been vacant for the past several years, Mr. Wyborny said. Ramona Tire is spending about $500,000 on the physical renovation of the structure.
Combined with Ramona's two existing stores in Mission Viejo, this new location will strengthen the business's presence in Orange County. Ramona also has properties in Menifee, Beaumont and Racho Cucamonga under contract and is scouting for additional locations throughout the region, Mr. Wyborny said.
Hemet, Calif.-based Ramona Tire, among the 60 largest independent dealers in the U.S. and 12th largest in California, is a Bridgestone Americas Affiliated Dealer and a founding member of the Independent Tire Dealers Group. This is the dealership's 42nd year in business.
Mr. Wyborny reports business has been "fairly strong" of late with "decent increases" in sales over last year and years prior to that.
Ramona Tire opened stores No. 13 and 14 this past January and February in Palm Desert and Indio, Calif.