SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Discount Tire/America's Tire has suspended operations at 45 of its retail locations in seven states, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scottsdale-based Reinalt-Thomas Corp. — which does business as Discount Tire — said its stores across the country are "focusing on prioritizing the performance of essential customer needs. ..."
The dealership said the temporary store closings —17 in California; 14 in Washington; nine in New Mexico; two in Minnesota; and one each in Arizona, Oklahoma and Utah — are considered "preventative."
The stores in California are all in the San Francisco Bay area, where "shelter-in-place" orders were issued this week by local officials. Reinalt-Thomas did not say how long it expected these stores to stay closed, but did say: "In order to promote the health and well-being of our customers, our people and our communities, we are closely monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control (and Prevention), World Health Organization and local health agencies."
The dealership is encouraging its customers to reserve appointments ahead of time to reduce wait times. Customers are being encouraged to visit stores only if they're feeling well.
The dealership said for the time being, its stores will not perform "non-essential" customer needs, such as tire rotation/balancing and non-state-required winter tire changeovers.
The company is referring questions related to a specific vehicle or recent service to its customer care hotline at 800-385-3322.