A father-and-son team that is part of a 53-year Chattanooga tradition in the tire and auto trade plans an expansion of the family business into the vacant building formerly occupied by Ronnie’s Repair Center on Ridgeway Avenue on Signal Mountain.
Tom Eberle, owner of Quality Tire Pros on Cherokee Boulevard and co-owner with his son Hunter, 25, of the new location, will place his son in charge of the new shop, to be named Eberle Tire and Auto.
Hunter Eberle will join his uncle Rick Eberle, who runs day-to-day operations at Quality Tire on Cherokee Boulevard, in assisting with managing the family business’ 20 employees.
“I’m happy he gets his feet wet here and can grow this to a profitable business,” the elder Eberle said. “When my brother and I want to start bowing out, we want him to manage both of them.”
Hunter Eberle is set to become the third generation manager of the family operation that began back in 1957, according to his father.
“My father (Jim Eberle) started out in a tire plant manufacturing new tires, worked himself into a sales position and fell in love with Chattanooga,” Tom Eberle said. “And with the help of a guy backing him, he ended up on Cherokee Boulevard, which at the time was the major thoroughfare through town.”
Jim Eberle later went into politics as a leader in city government, leaving Tom Eberle in charge.
“I love this market; some of the older ladies who live around here came by earlier and were so excited to have us up here,” Tom Eberle said. “There’s no way I would still be in business without my reputation.”
Hunter Eberle, a former chemist, agrees that although there’s a lot to learn about the tire and auto business, he has worked for his father before and believes he has the talent and drive to succeed.
“I didn’t know about all the paperwork you’ve got to fill out to get all the licenses,” the younger Eberle said, but added that he wants “to be able to take over both these stores eventually, and be my own boss.”
Once he gets his feet on the ground, he wants to continue to expand the business founded by his grandfather.
Eberle family in auto business* Jim Eberle sets up business in 1957 on Cherokee Boulevard. Later he became a leader in city government where he was elected as a commissioner.* Sons Tom and Rick Eberle have been a part of the business for years.* Tom Eberle’s son Hunter, 25, now in the business, joins his father at the newly opened Eberle Tire and Auto atop Signal Mountain.
“I’d have to do a lot of soul searching and feasibility studies, but I could see room to grow,” he said.
The store won’t celebrate its grand opening until mid-May, but frantic preparations are already under way to have the shop ready by then.
Tom Eberle said that the store still needs “to get a lot of inventory, get a proper service desk so that we’re standing eye-to-eye with the customer …”
“And a mini-fridge,” added Hunter Eberle with a smile.
“Right, a mini-fridge” responded his grinning father.