NILES, Ohio—Flynn's Tire & Auto Service recently opened a retail store in Niles that is paired with an Advanced Auto Parts store within the same building.
It's a concept the dealership claims will provide convenient tire service as well as auto repair and maintenance services at one location.
The five-bay store is the West Middlesex, Pa.-based dealership's sixth location in Ohio and 19th overall. Flynn's did not disclose its investment in the new facility.
“This is a new concept for Flynn's. Speed and efficiency within a reduced footprint is our goal,” said Store Manager Ian Snyder.
“We are already staffed with experienced technicians and our tire inventory is supplied several times a day by the nearby Flynn's Wholesale location. The reduced overhead will give us an opportunity to maximize profits while still providing exceptional customer service.
“Since this building is located within the Eastwood Mall Complex, we will be taking advantage of the traffic within this major consumer corridor. Flynn's Tire & Auto Service is already well known in the area through advertising in the market for our Austintown and Boardman, Ohio, locations.
“Those who know of us will welcome the convenience of this new location in Niles.”
Flynn's Tire President Joe Flynn III said, “We've wanted to expand our store count in this market for some time now. This 'Mini-Flynn's' gives us the opportunity to increase our market share by using a smaller store model. I am confident that we can deliver the same excellent customer service with fast, professional work.
“The opening of this store coincides with the opening of the very first Flynn's store 50 years ago that my grandfather, father and uncle opened in 1964. My grandfather and father would be proud to know how far Flynn's has come since that first store—where there were no bays at all. They had to install tires outdoors in the driveway using the jack from the car they were putting the tires on.
“Then they took the new mounted tires to the neighboring gas station to be balanced on their machine.”
Flynn's Tire, a regional tire retailer and wholesaler, operates four warehouses, 19 retail stores, five commercial tire service centers, a retread tire facility and a wheel reconditioning plant in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Flynn's Tire Group also was recognized recently by the Cleveland Recruiting Battalion & New Castle Recruiting Co. for the dealership's work with the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS).
In a ceremony at Flynn's corporate headquarters in West Middlesex, the company was honored for its commitment to reconnecting veterans with their communities as the U.S. Army's newest PaYS Partner.
“This is truly an honor for us to partner with the U.S. Army in such a way that mutually benefits our men and women in uniform and also Flynn's Tires,” Joe Flynn III said.
“We are always seeking trained and talented employees and we feel that those who have experience with the U.S. Army have had some of the finest training that can be offered. We are proud of all who serve our country and want to be there for them when they return to the community with job opportunities for them.
“We welcome military veterans as part of our family here at Flynn's.”
The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the U.S. Army and a cross section of corporations, companies and public sector agencies, Flynn's Tire said. The program provides youth with an opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future.
PaYS Partners guarantee soldiers an interview and possible employment after leaving the Army.