CHICAGO — Belle Tire is planning grand-opening events Nov. 20 at stores in Naperville and Villa Park, Ill., the first of roughly 60 stores the Allen Park, Mich.-based dealership is planning for the Chicago area in the coming years.
These openings will be followed before year-end by stores in Joliet and Shorewood, Ill., Belle Tire said, and then locations in Aurora, Mokena, Orland Park, St. Charles and West Chicago in 2022.
Naperville and Villa Park are western Chicago suburbs with populations of 147,000 and 22,000, respectively. All new locations are greenfield constructions; construction costs were not disclosed.
"This is an exciting time as we approach our 100th anniversary and enter Illinois," Belle Tire President Don Barnes III said. "As a family-owned business, we look forward to supporting the new communities we serve."
Naperville Councilwoman Patty Gustin has been invited to join Mr. Barnes at the Naperville store's grand opening, which will include a flag-raising ceremony conducted by local VFW post and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to Belle Tire, which will mark its 100th year in business in 2022.
Belle Tire plans to offer refreshments and other activities in a tent erected at the site. Both new stores will offer exclusive in-store grand-opening deals, including up to $180 off a set of tires for the first 60 days the stores are open.
Mr. Barnes noted that his company's expansion plan for Chicago means Belle Tire is "ready to make an impact within communities by providing stable job opportunities and ultimately create an outstanding economic impact,."
The retailer's plan for 60 stores in Illinois could create up to 1,000 jobs and provide an economic impact of $325 million in the region, Belle Tire said. The dealership is hosting weekly hiring events in the area and offering signing bonuses.
The company recently secured a long-term marketing/promotional partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks as the NHL team's helmet partner.
