“It’s all about the service,” said Al Knowles as he swiftly swapped two tires for his last customer.
His family’s 90-year-old tire business on Kingsway closed down last Friday. The third generation in the business, Knowles had run it for 45 years.
Before customer Nathalie Lopez realized she had new tires, Knowles had washed her windshield and scrubbed it clean, much to her surprise. A quick online search on West Coast Vulcanizing Shop garners mostly five-star reviews on Yelp raving about the quick fix and personal touch that turned customers into fans of Knowles’ earnest and hardworking character.
Employee Jeff Sisson echoed those sentiments. “Al is a good guy, nice, easy-going, he helps you out, he doesn’t stand there and watch you … he talks to you not at you.”
Neighbour Mel D’Souza agreed. “He’s just got one of those demeanours — very welcoming, he always waves me in and tells me to come in and he’s just one of those guys that’s personable and has always had a door open. You could come in have a quick chat and move on.”
Nestled in a strip of young and trendy boutiques along Kingsway, the tire lot is outnumbered by the onset of elegant shops and art galleries that have settled around Kingsway and Fraser streets.
The shop, reportedly the oldest tire shop in Western Canada to remain in the same location, was built by his grandfather, a British-born blacksmith, who capitalized on the tire business in 1924 as horse and buggies disappeared. His move created careers for Knowles and his father.
For the boy who played in the shop since the age 11, the place is steeped in memories such as the days when gangs claimed their turf around the streets, or hanging out with D’Souza and discussing changes to the neighbourhood.
“I’m going to be walking by here and never be able to wave to Al and see the guy sitting in his window,” D’Souza noted. “No matter if it was sunny or rainy or snowy, he’d always be there.”
Knowles believes shops like his will likely become extinct.
“In the winter time — that was our busiest time of the year, we had customers lined up, up 15th Avenue here and around the corner to get in here,” said Knowles. “It has changed quite a bit with the big box clubs like the Costcos, the Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire. They weren’t here 25 years ago and now that they are here to stay, they’d taken quite a bit of our market away. Unfortunately, this business has not been as productive as it was many years ago.”
Last year, Knowles decided to sell the property after his employee Jim Mitchell retired after 32 years. One of his biggest hurdles has been finding a replacement who has the experience with modern, high-tech tires and the “honesty, loyalty, reliable, hard-working” qualities of Mitchell. “This guy had everything,” he said.
At 60, Knowles says the combination of age, recruiting factors, and competition with big-name brands led him to close shop. Until Monday Aug. 18, he will be clearing out the space says he’ll help customers looking for recommendations for future needs.
It’s about the service.
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