Flagstaff, Ariz.-based Anderson General Tire is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month.
The store started as a General Tire & Rubber Co.-owned store, but was bought by local Ken Anderson in 1976. For the last five years, the business has been owned by Paul and Linda Andrejko-Fleming, a husband and wife team who met over a set of tires.
When she was single, Linda was taking a road trip through the west, and bought a set of new before leaving. Paul installed them, but one of the tires lost inflation. Linda returned to the store to complain, but instead started dating Paul. A faulty valve stem was the problem, and it was quickly fixed, as were the couple.
That was 18 years, a couple of kids and a move from California to Flagstaff ago. Paul, being a veteran tireman, quickly hired on with Anderson Tire, and when the owner looked to retire, the Flemings were ready to take over.
Today, Anderson Tire carries everything from wheelbarrow tires to medium truck tires, and the Flemings have added a wholesale business to the mix.