RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Telle Tire & Auto Centers has acquired Midtown Tire & Auto in St. Louis and is acquiring Kwik Kar & Lube in Jefferson City, Mo., its first location outside of the St. Louis market.
The two retail locations will expand the Telle Tire chain to nine stores. This is the second and third acquisition this year — Telle Tire acquired Shamel Auto & Tire in Bridgeton, Mo., in January.
Telle Tire acquired Midtown Tire in June and completed a $75,000 renovation of the store.
The renovation included a redesigned waiting room that will offer soft drinks, fresh chocolate chip cookies and fresh fruit. WiFi is available, along with work stations and plug-ins for all electronic devices. A large computer screen allows service advisors to show customers vehicle inspections reports and review pictures of any vehicle issues.
"This really helps create another level of transparency and puts confidence in both the advisor and the customer when reviewing the inspections," CEO and President Aaron Telle said.
The store also will offer loaner vehicles and valet car service.
Telle Tire will be holding a re-grand opening on Oct. 25 that will include prizes, locally catered food and special promotions.
The Jefferson City acquisition is set to close on Oct. 31 and is two hours west of St. Louis.
The Kwik Kar & Lube outlet is an eight-bay facility that does not perform any tire work.
"This is a great opportunity for Telle Tire to bring expertise and processes into the market," Mr. Telle said. "We have a great team in place and are excited about the opportunities of providing additional services and truly becoming a one-stop shop for the residents in Jeff City."
Telle Tire said it purchased more than $50,000 worth of equipment from Hunter Engineering and is creating a special training program for all associates to be prepared for the new service offerings.
"We believe within 60 days we should be fully operational," he said.
Telle Tire is a fourth-generation family-owned company that has grown from a single outlet with seven associates to nine locations and 75 associates.