Al Knowles’ 90-year-old tire business in Vancouver, British Columbia, closed down Friday, Aug. 8. The Vancouver Courier reported that Knowles was the third generation in the business and had run West Coast Vulcanizing Shop for 45 years.
Knowles’ grandfather built the shop, which is reportedly the oldest tire shop in Western Canada to remain in the same location.
Knowles believes shops like his will likely become extinct and partially blames the influx of big-box stores.
“It has changed quite a bit with the big box clubs like the Costcos, the Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire,” Knowles told The Vancouver Courier. “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.”
According to The Vancouver Courier, the combination Knowles’ age, the shop’s recruiting factors and competition with big-name brands led him to ultimately close shop.