Merchant's Tire and Auto Center

Merchant's Tire and Auto Center is a chain of tire and auto repair shops that has locations in Fairfax County.

The chain was originally founded as Merchant's Firestone in Manassas in 1943 by 20-year-old Wilson Caton Merchant, Jr.[1]

Merchant died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 60 on August 20, 1983. Ownership of the 50-location chain passed to his wife Mae, who took over as chairman of the board of the company, and his three children, Wilson, III, Linda Bell and Carol Burwell took seats on the company's board of directors, appointing Franklin Dixon as president of the company.[2]

Dixon announced his retirement in September 1986, and was succeeded by executive vice president and general manager Larry C. Morgan.[3] In 1990, Morgan left Merchant's after 18 years at the company and purchased the 33-outlet Morgan Tire & Auto chain, based in Clearwater, Florida, the following year.[4]

In 1998, Merchant's brought in Pep Boys senior vice president Michael Riggan as its new CEO.

On July 21, 2000, Merchant's sold its wholesale division, American Tire Distributors, to Heafner Tire Group of Charlotte, focusing solely on its retail business.[5]

Memphis-based TBC Corporation purchased Merchant's for $57.5 million in March, 2003.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "W. Merchant Jr., Founded Tire Co." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 1. Aug 22 1983. ProQuest. Web. 18 June 2017 .
  2. ↑ Fedchenko, Vera. "Succession in Event of an Emergency." Tire Business. Crain Communications, 28 Mar. 1998. Web. 18 June 2017.
  3. ↑ Regan, M. B. "Spot Image Names New President." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 1. Sep 15 1986. ProQuest. Web. 18 June 2017.
  4. ↑ Ulrich, Bob. "The Name That's Known Is Larry Morgan." Modern Tire Dealer Sept. 2001: 27-39. Print.
  5. ↑ Joyce, Amy. "Merchant's Doesn't Tire of Growth." The Washington Post. WP Company, 02 Aug. 2000. Web. 18 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "TBC to Buy Merchant's for up to $72.5 Million." Memphis Business Journal. American City Business Journals, 26 Mar. 2003. Web. 18 June 2017.