Page 6 - RVO Milestones Feb 2016

6V V • Sunday, January 31, 2016 River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Supplement
Celebrating 65 years
CODY GRAVES/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION SUBMITTED PHOTO
Left: Rustin Standridge became the owner of McKinney Tire Pros in Conway in January 2014 after being a longtime employee and sales manager. Top right: McKinney Tire Pros was opened in 1951 by Abe McKinney as McKinney Tire Co. Since then, the business has maintained its high level of customer service. Bottom right: Wayde Henderson, head mechanic at McKinney Tire Pros, has been with the business for more than 11 years.
By Cody Graves
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Whether it’s fixing a flat tire or get- ting an oil change, one Conway business has a history of providing outstanding auto service to the community.
McKinney Tire Pros, at 600 S. Harkrider St., offers a variety of automotive services to the community, and the staff is dedicated to keeping customers’ vehicles in tip-top shape.
“We want our customers to feel as if they made the right decision,” said Rustin Standridge, general manager and owner. “I work in this business because I love to meet new people and want to build strong, lasting relationships.”
McKinney Tire Pros has long been a fix- ture of the Conway community. Established in 1951 by Abe McKinney as McKinney Tire Co., the business was based on customer service and integrity, Standridge said.
In 1982, Frank Earney started working for the company as a laborer. His duties included changing tires, repairing flats and recapping tires. Frank and his wife, Kathy, bought McKinney Tire Co. in April 1984. The McKinney name was not changed be- cause Frank wanted to run the business with the same strong customer service and integrity that was passed on by McKinney.
In March 1998, the business moved from 710 Harkrider St. to its current location, and an automotive center was added. Frank and Kathy hired ASE mechanics and support staff with the same attention to customer service that had made McKinney Tire Co. a successful family-owned business.
In January 2012, McKinney Tire Co. became a Tire Pros dealer, which allowed the business to offer even better service to customers. Tire Pros has more than 700 locations nationwide, and any services per- formed at McKinney Tire Pros will be under
warranty at any of the locations, which of- fers customers peace of mind.
Then in January 2014, Standridge and his wife, Andrea, became the new owners of McKinney Tire Pros. Rustin was a longtime employee and sales manager.
Rustin said he has built his business on three principals: quality, honesty and integrity. These principals, he said, help build lasting relationships with customers and help his staff provide a higher level of service.
“I want our customers to feel as though they are a part of our family and have that trust that comes with being family,” he said. “They know they can trust us and that we will work hard for them.”
McKinney Tire Pros offers tires from Mi- chelin, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal, Continental, General, Cooper, Hankook and many other popular brands. The shop also carries many NAPA-brand auto parts. For those who want
I WANT OUR CUSTOMERS
TO FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE A PART OF OUR
FAMILY AND HAVE THAT TRUST THAT COMES WITH BEING FAMILY.”
— Rustin Standridge, owner and general manager
to upgrade the look of their ride, the shop also offers a wide selection of wheels.
In addition to selling tires, the shop pro- vides service on brakes, suspension systems, water pumps and radiators; performs align- ments and oil changes; and more. The shop has 19 employees, and its three mechanics are ASE certified.
McKinney Tire Pros
Local business maintains tradition of excellent service
SUBMITTED PHOTO