When Gary’s Tire Factory opened in 1973, it was the only business on the block. The nearest neighbors on Martin Way were a couple of gas stations and the Washington State Patrol headquarters. “We were kind of out in the sticks,” says owner Gerry Rich, remembering the early years spent alongside his father, the founder.
These days the surrounding area is thriving, but longtime customers might do a double take trying to find their favorite tire store. After decades as Gary’s Tire Factory, the company has joined Point S, the leading independent tire and car service dealership in Europe. The name and the sign have changed, now sporting a green and blue motif as Gary’s Point S Tire Center, but Thurston County customers will find the same familiar faces and quality service they have enjoyed for over four decades.
“It’s just for better buying power,” says Rich, explaining why the longtime business is changing names. “Hopefully the change to Point S, partnering with a larger, multi-national company, is going to allow us to be competitive in the tire market, keeping our prices fair and our service and quality top-notch.”
Rich grew up in the company, working weekends and summers during high school and eventually taking over when his father, the original “Gary”, retired twelve years ago. In recent decades the industry has gotten more competitive, with companies like Tire Rack cornering online sales and dealerships offering large discounts to increase customer loyalty. “There are so many places to buy and people who will undercut your prices,” he says. “What we offer, have always offered, is competitive prices along with knowledgeable staff and personal service. We are a family business at our core we still offer the feel of a family tire shop, no matter the name on the sign.”
While he has kept the same quality tire service, Rich has been forced by the expanding, competitive market to diversify. “Back in the early days all we did was sell tires,” he says. “We made a good living doing that. Now tire sales are just saturated throughout communities. We’ve really branched into the repair end and a little over half of our total business is service, now. Adding new services while keeping our tire offerings consistent is what has kept us in business.”
Loyal customers have also played a part, with some families spanning multiple generations. “We’ve got some third generation customers from the 1970s that are still coming in,” says Rich. “The years go by so fast that you don’t realize the kids are now driving. There have been some pretty lean times and that loyal customer base is what’s carried us through some of those times.”
Regular customers are aware of the full spectrum of services the company offers, but the general public may not be. Unlike the typical services offered at tire stores like brake and front end work, Point S does complete automotive repair. “We’ve been branching out into that for quite some time and will continue to provide great service options,” says Rich.
They are also one of the main dealers in the area for Cooper Tires, a century-old American company that manufactures auto, truck, and motorcycle tires. “I’m not the exclusive Cooper dealer, but that’s been our main tire line for a long time and people come back again and again for Cooper tires,” says Rich.
Point S began in France and currently has 3,000 stores throughout Europe, but has just recently branched out into North America, with 300 locations in Canada and 200 in the U.S. “We’re joining a larger line of an international buying group,” says Rich. This will give them access to larger wholesale discounts available to Point S. The increased buying power will allow them to pass savings along to their local customers.
Anyone who has been in Thurston County for a while knows that over the years, the stretch of Martin Way between College Street and Sleater-Kinney Way has changed radically. And, while changes have come to Gary’s as well, you’ll find the same friendly faces, great customer service and high quality tire options as you have for years.
Gary’s Point S Tire Center
4325 Martin Way E in Olympia
360-456-4383
