Telle Tire opens 20th store with new corporate office

WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. — Telle Tire & Auto Centers opened its 20th retail store in a former Subaru dealership in Webster Groves that also will serve as its new headquarters.

The 14,000-sq.-ft. location was completely renovated and opened June 14.

The corporate offices fill a 4,000-sq.-ft. space that has been redesigned with an open concept that incorporates working spaces and multiple sitting areas to encourage collaboration and team building, the dealership said.

In addition to day-to-day administration operations, Telle Tire said it also will use the space to welcome associates outside of the store environment into a relaxed setting to establish new connections, share best practices and enhance collaboration.

Telle Tire had been headquartered in the original store location from the 1940s when the company had only seven associates and was open to the store's waiting room.

"We made it work for us, but we were truly busting at the seams and when this opportunity came along, it was the perfect solution for us to add another location and build out our corporate office space," President and CEO Aaron Telle said.

The new retail store operates in a renovated 10-bay facility with a new air conditioning system to mitigate exposure to the humid summers in the Midwest, Telle said.

Telle's younger brother, Alex Telle, is the general manager.

"The Webster community has welcomed us with open arms, and we are excited to be a part of this great long-standing community," Alex Telle said.

Telle Tire sponsored the 4th of July Community Days parade in Webster with 12,000 spectators that ran for more than two miles.

"It was exciting to both sponsor and participate in the parade tradition, providing a great team-building experience and an opportunity to introduce Telle Tire to the local community," Laura Telle, vice president and chief people officer, said.

The 81-year-old family-owned Telle Tire operates locations in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Jefferson City, Mo.; and Jerrys Tire Sales in Edwardsville, Ill.

"We understand that we are in the people business and building relationships. We just happen to sell tires and auto service. I have a large responsibility to ensure the opportunity my father gave me continues and I don't take that responsibility lightly," Aaron Telle said.