Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • Mid-Year Report
  • News
    • Aligning with ADAS
    • OPINION
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • Humanitarian Award
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • Best Places to Work
    • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 12, 2016 02:00 AM

Ariz. couple converts store to Big O

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Boulevard Tire & Service photo
    Preston and Melissa Alder, owners of Boulevard Tire & Auto Service, which converted recently to Big O Tires signage.

    SAFFORD, Ariz. (Aug. 12, 2016) — Preston and Melissa Alder have converted Boulevard Tire & Service, the independent tire store they've operated together for the past 22 years, to a Big O Tires L.L.C. franchise.

    By switching to Big O, “I get the best of both worlds,” Mr. Alder said in a Big O press release. “I still get to be the local business owner in my community with all the benefits of being part of a national chain.”

    The store, which opened at the beginning of June, has six service bays, three of which are dedicated to tires and lube. The dealership offers a full array of undercar- and drivetrain-related automotive services to complement its tire business.

    Boulevard Tire & Auto Service photo

    Preston and Melissa Alder (far left) with the staff of their business, Boulevard Tire & Auto Service/Big O Tires.

    The Alders took over the business — then much more an auto parts and auto repair facility — from Mrs. Alder's father, Bruce Dodge, Mr. Alder said. Mr. Dodge, in turn, had acquired it in the late 1970s from the shop's original owner.

    Over the years, the Alders shifted the business' focus more toward tires, with an emphasis on the commercial side of the business — agricultural, mining, construction, etc. Safford is a community of nearly 10,000 located about 165 miles southeast of Phoenix and is supported to a great degree by the local farming and mining industries.

    “What was missing was the consumer side of the business,” Mr. Alder said, “and Big O has been super for us in this respect. They really drive customers to our door.”

    Initially reluctant to consider Big O as a partner, Mr. Alder was very complimentary of the franchisor's staff and program benefits. He was especially pleased that Boulevard Tire will be able to continue to serve its commercial customers under the Big O banner.

    TBC Corp./Big O TIres photo

    The newly re-signed Big O Tires outlet in Safford, Ariz.

    Mr. Alder and Big O came together after another Big O franchised location in nearby Thatcher, Ariz., closed its doors. Mr. Alder said initially he was approached about that location as a possible real estate investment, but then Big O approached him about the available franchise.

    The Alders sold an affiliated auto parts business a couple of years ago, Mr. Alder said, and have converted that space in an adjacent building on their property to an office and warehousing, allowing for more efficient use of the service bays at the main building.

    The conversion puts the Big O network back to 55 locations. The next nearest Big O outlet is 75 miles away in Globe, Ariz.

    Kevin Kormondy, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Big O Tires, said, “It's exciting to have successful independent operators like Preston and Melissa, with a shop that has been family-owned and -operated for more than 60 years, join the Big O Tires organization.”

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Brison leaves Hankook for TireHub
    2
    Goodyear marks milestone with Cooper Tire integration
    3
    Updated: Tire makers react to war in Ukraine
    4
    Yokohama spotlights growing UHP tire portfolio
    5
    Bridgestone 3.0 report details sustainable future
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Mid-Year Report
    • News
      • Aligning with ADAS
      • OPINION
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • Humanitarian Award
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • Best Places to Work
      • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION