HANCOCK -When Rick Heinonen and his son Ricky took over as the new owners of The Tire Shop in Hancock, they guaranteed some things would remain unchanged.
"We're keeping all the same prices and providing the same great service," Rick said. "We're just trying to keep the tradition going."
Located on Santori's Corner in Hancock, The Tire Shop specializes in tire sales, service and repair. The Tire Shop is a Mr. Tire Express dealer and features a full line of passenger and light truck tires including Cooper, Dean and Hankook, all of which come with a road hazard warranty. Additional brands are also available.
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The Tire Shop owners, from right left to left, Rick Heinonen and his son Ricky Heinonen stand beside mechanic Chris Geshel and tire technician Mike Downey.
"We can get most any kind of tires made," Rick said. "We've got access to an endless amount of tires."
Through the end of the month, Cooper and Hankook brands are offering mail-in rebates on the purchase of a set of four tires. Customers who purchase a set of qualifying Cooper tires will receive a $50 Visa Rebate card by mail. A similar rebate is available through Hankook. For more information, drop in the Hancock shop or call 482-1850.
In addition to offering flat repair and tire rotations, Ricky said they also service and sell tires for tractors, wheelbarrows, golf carts and ATVs.
"We service tires of all sizes," he said, excluding tires for large industrial vehicles. "We also do free tire inspections."
During the tire inspections, the guys check for tire wear and can oftentimes save customers money and the hassle of replacing them before their expiration date.
"Especially this time of year, if the tires are fine, it doesn't pay to put tires on now and wear them out all summer," Ricky said. "We can put them on in the fall."
While The Tire Shop has long been recognized for its quality tire sales and service, the business also specializes in automotive repairs including brakes, alignments, shocks and struts.
The service garage, located across the street from The Tire Shop, features a touchless automatic car wash at the back of the building. Wash cycles range from basic to complete and prices are $4, $5 and $6 washes.
Additional products, such as windshield wiper blades and automotive batteries, can be found in the waiting room of the business where Rick said they "always have the coffee pot on."
The Tire Shop has been in business for more than 50 years, starting out as Santori Tire. The second owner, Ralph Coon, operated the business for 24 years before Rick and Ricky purchased the business and took over ownership Dec. 18, 2009.
"It all started about four years ago," Rick said of their plans to purchase The Tire Shop. "The shop was for sale so we went and looked at it and now four years later here we are."
Both Rick and his son have years of experience in car sales. Rick, who worked for a local dealership for 30 years, and Ricky who has five years of experience, said purchasing The Tire Shop was a perfect fit for them.
"We're calling it RCrew," Rick said of the new name for the business, the "R" deriving from Rick and Ricky and the "Crew" representing all of the guys working together. "It's RCrew DBA. Doing business as The Tire Shop."
Rick said their signage hasn't arrived just yet, however when it does, they will be putting it out in front of the building.
In the near future, Rick said they will be making some upgrades to the service shop to improve efficiency for customers.
And for now, he said they're looking forward to growing the business and offering customers the same great service.
"We want to make this a family-run business for generations to come," Rick said.
The Tire Shop is located 811 Ethel Ave., in Hancock. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Walk-ins for tire services are welcome. Automotive services available by appointment. For more information, call 482-1850.
Editor's note: This feature is part of a paid advertising package purchased by The Tire Shop of Hancock. Businesses interested in being featured on the Business page may call Yvonne Robillard at 483-2220.