Six months in the making, and Minden Auto Care will host the grand opening of its OK Tire Auto Service this Saturday (June 13).
Owner Dennis Pennie said their OK Tire rep was in the area in the winter and popped in to tell them about the opportunity to
become part of the national network.
Dennis said he and wife, Lori, were intrigued and began to dig into it. A customer then told them about a family friend who owns one of the biggest OK Tires in Toronto, and urged the Pennies to reach out to him.
Dennis said he did just that, having a two hour conversation. “He pretty much had me sold then,” Dennis said during an interview at his
garage at 8 Water St. in Minden. “It opens up a whole new world for us.”
For example, they can now do wholesale tires. They have also rented a small warehouse where they can now store customers’ tires in between seasonal changes. Dennis said they are already up to about 150 sets of tires.
He added his customers can now go to the website, punch in their vehicle, and check tire inventory; rather than Lori having to get
on the phone and call around to see what is available.
“This just makes life so much easier. We’re going be able to keep a very good size inventory now.” For the customer, he said it means better pricing and service. For example, he said if a cottager blows a tire, chances are they will be able to get a new one quickly. He hopes this will benefit the other Minden car service outlets as well.
Other advantages, the Pennies said, are national warranties and alliances with Carquest and NAPA Auto Parts. It will allow them to be able to afford uniforms for staff and to access a benefits plan.
The Pennies credit Jim Ecclestone with pushing them to make more improvements at the garage. It started with a facelift and addition of a Minden moose, and now being franchisees.
The members of the Minden Business Working Group and Minden Rotary added, “we all know that downtown has been suffering for quite a while.” He said along with business improvements, attracting a national brand helps.
Dennis also believes that being under the OK Tire umbrella will allow his small business to connect more with the community. For example, they were able to offer a prize of a $1,000 gift certificate for tires at this past weekend’s Minden Rotary gala dinner.
“We have a whole team behind us.” He noted they have been permitted to keep the Minden Auto Care branding as long as it does not overwhelm the OK Tire Minden marketing. “We just added this to our toolbox, basically.”
They’ve timed their grand opening on a busy weekend in Minden, that will also feature the Haliburton County Fair, farmers and artisans’ markets, and the Dollo reunion.
He said Rotary will be cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. The Minden moose will make an appearance with moose memorabilia, and there will be a draw for a $500 gift certificate for tires. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
