The first list are things you would expect to find at a tire store. The second, maybe in a zoo. In Red Bluff, they are all found at Bob’s Tire Center.

A decade or so ago, you would have also been able to find some monkeys and a Siberian tiger. When Bob Nance was in Southern California, there was an elephant.

But licensing issues soon put a kabosh on the more exotic animals. Now a large wooden elephant stands in the showroom of the Red Bluff store to remind those of when Fluffie once ruled the garage.

"I just like critters," said Nance, while holding a turtle and iguana.

Nance and his menagerie of critters was featured recently in the book "Northern California Curiosities" by Saul Rubin. The book is part of the Insiders Guide series.

In the chapter featuring Nance called "A Beastly Business," Nance said he first got the idea to mix the tire shop with a zoo to "thrill in the novelty of mixing car repairs with a zoo visit."

"The kids love it," said Nance. "You would be surprised how many kids cry when it’s time for them to leave."

After zoning regulations forced him to part ways with Fluffie, he found a good home for her and still to this day keeps in touch with her.

"She is in an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee," said Nance.

When he moved to Red Bluff in the 1960s, he brought the tiger with him, and it was kept in a cage at Circus Auto Wrecking on Baker Road. The 550-pound cat was good for business. He also kept a collection of emus, llamas, monkeys and chimps.

County zoning rules were one thing; tigers, however, aren’t allowed within the city limits of Red Bluff. When he moved to Walnut Street, the tiger was sent away, not to Siberia but to Hollywood where it went to work at a movie studio.

While Nance has stores in Corning and Chico, the Red Bluff location stands alone because of the animals, and while the store’s main item is tires, he got an offer on the large wooden elephant he bought while on vacation in Bangkok.

Under the counter are turtles and iguanas. There are two cages with parrots.

Nance added that on the non-exotic side, there is a dog.