Local family-owned tire shop celebrates 100 years in business

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – It’s rare for a mom-and-pop business to stick around for 100 years. Elmo Tire on Youngstown’s South Side is the exception.

Anthony Elmo credits his grandfather’s work ethic and straight-shooting service for the longevity of Elmo’s Tire.

“Just treat people the way you want to be treated is the main thing. And you know, it’s worked out very, very well for us. My father taught me that lesson years ago when I was a young boy, and it’s carried me through this whole business,” Elmo said.

In 1924, cars were just starting to catch on, and they still had wooden rims. Elmo’s grandpa saw that cars were the future.

The shop had gas pumps early on, but now, it specializes in tires, brakes and oil changes.

“When I first started pumping gas it was 28 cents a gallon,” Elmo said.

He explained how things were back then and why he stayed on the South Side.

“That’s when the mills were open. Traffic was amazing coming up from the mills. Everything was booming at that time, and we stayed here. Everybody thought we’d move to a different location, but we service Struthers, Coitsville, Campbell, Lowellville. A lot of people come here because they don’t like the hustle and bustle of being out on 224.”

Elmo’s went Hollywood when Disney found out Elmo’s is one of the few tire shops that have a special machine to make new tires look old.

“We did 48 tires for Mater, which actually electric cars were built so they can run in the parades in California and Florida,” Elmo said.

Now semi-retired, Elmo is handing the shop over to the next generation and they officially celebrate 100 years on Friday.

“Stop in and see us. We’re going to have a celebration tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. We’re going to have hot dogs, pizza, drinks, giveaway. Whole bunch of good times,” Elmo said.

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