Tires, Tires, Tires (Tires3), with three retail locations in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Sioux City, Iowa, has been named winner of the 2010 Tire Review Top Shop Award.

Now in its fourth year, the Tire Review Top Shop Awards, presented by Ammco/Coats, seeks to honor the “best of the best” independent tire dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

Headquartered in Sioux Falls, Tires 3 is wholly owned by Dan and Dale Nothdurft. Placing a premium on honesty and a complete “customer first” attitude since its founding in 1986, Tires3 has become the best-known and most preferred place for tires and vehicle service in the Siouxland region. Winners of multiple ‘Best Of’ honors in both cities, Tires3 is also heavily involved with local charities and specific efforts to help needy families, young drivers and local residents serving in the military. Tires3 locations carry a variety of tire brands, including Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Goodyear, Yokohama, Nexen, Mastercraft, Nitto, Primewell and Carlisle products.

“People want to buy from honest people,” says Dan. “The whole thing is represented by our front line people and in the service area. A lot of things have changed since we first opened, but one thing has not changed: we know that if it weren’t for our customers and a healthy and vibrant community, we would not be in business. And this guides every decision we make.

“To us, winning the Tire Review Top Shop Award is the pinnacle,” he says. “It’s the most prestigious honor in our industry, and to win this award really means a lot to the entire Tires, Tires, Tires team. But it is rewarding to know that the work we do helps other businesses succeed, allows people to get to work, and provides dependable transportation for families in our communities.”

In addition to the Top Shop winner, three finalists were also honored this year. This year’s finalists include:
 
Community Tire & Auto Service Specialists, based in Phoenix and with five locations in the greater Phoenix area. Founded in 1991, Community Tire is the first two-time Top Shop Finalist, having earned the honor in 2007. It is owned by Howard and Patty Fleischmann, Kim Sigman and Claude Case.

Waukegan Tire & Supply Co., headquartered in Waukegan, Ill., with four stores in Waukegan, Park City and Grayslake, Ill. The 42-year-old dealership is owned by Gerald “Jerry” Nerheim, his son, Steve, and daughter, Julie Scroggins.

Robertson Tire Co., based in Tulsa, Okla. Founded in 1962, Robertson Tire has 11 retail stores, and is owned by Ted Robertson and his sons, Mark and Rick.

As the Top Shop winner, Tires3 receives a Coats APX90 tire changer, a $1,500 cash prize, airfare and hotel for two (2 nights/3 days) to the 2010 Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show in Las Vegas, a feature story on their business in the October issue of Tire Review, and a specially designed trophy to display in their stores.

Three finalists will each receive a Coats 1250-3DV tire/wheel balancer, a $500 cash prize, a feature story on the dealership in the October issue, and a specially designed finalist trophy.

For the 2010 Top Shop Award, Tire Review accepted entries from Jan. 1 through June 28. From the full group of nearly 100 entrants, judges selected 21 semi-finalists, which were then required to complete an extensive entry form and provide details about their business, including their size, sales mix, merchandising techniques, customer service, training, achievement, and their role in their community. From there, eight semi-finalists were chosen for final judging by an independent panel of judges.

“From the beginning, the Top Shop Awards have been about spotlighting the dealers that best exemplify those attributes and values we stress with every issue of Tire Review,” said Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review. “I think our judges did a great job in selecting four dealers who are a true professionals, and in honoring Tires, Tires, Tires as our fourth Top Shop winner.”