City Boy's Celebrating 15 Year Anniversary May 20th 2006
Wanted working tire store manager in High Springs," is how the ad read in January 1991 when Jane, my wife, showed me the newspaper. Having been in the tire business for 25+ years and 45 years old, I told her I wasn't about to respond to an advertisement such as that. Thinking someone was looking for a glorified tire buster. Certainly nothing wrong with those guys, as that's how I started out.
Jane was persistent, knowing I wasn't very happy at my current position. So, the very next day I responded by phone to the ad.
I talked to a man by the name of Kip Pierce who thought High Springs needed a tire/automotive outlet.
If he and I came to a meeting of the minds, the location was to be in a former auto dealership building which Kip owned at 330 North Main St., High Springs.
We met once a week for about 3 months discussing supplies, equipment, market potential, promotions, pricing and all the aspects of business start-up planning. He was a sharp sincere business entrepreneur, but followed my direction in the specific planning on how a tire store should be run.
He, however, let me know under no uncertain terms what the name of the business was to be called, "City Boy's Tire & Brake." I thought that name was corny, silly and ridiculous. What a stupid name. "Well, I've been wrong before."
After much hard work and planning, Kip Pierce and High Springs had a "working tire store manager," in the form of me Pete Woodward. We opened May 15, 1991.
We did business out of the small office and the back three bays of the building towards where the Post Office is now as Jim Merrit & Mike Splain occupied the rest of the building with an import repair and sales business.
I never left the store for lunch and never got sick cause no one else was available to run the store.
The emphasis was and still is on the mechanic/service part of the establishment. We sold Dayton Tires and emphasized their 90-day same as cash charge program that helped develop a strong customer base.
Although not in writing, Kip from the beginning wanted me to buy the business from him if I could be successful. And successful we were as profits and sales increased I bought the business in 1995 and the building two years later. Kip and his wife Sandy Pierce are people of their word.
Finding the right employees is and was always not easy.
During the events of 1994 I'll never forget trying to hire technician Bert Daughtery. Jane and I had Bert and his wife over to our home in Alachua to discuss the matter. Bert and I had worked together at Mott Tire & Brake in Gainesville so I knew what potential he had and what kind of person he was. At the time it seemed more of a sell to his wife then to him. We had to promise him too much money, but it proved to one of the best moves City Boy's ever made as Bert was and is a high producer and hard worker.
I could write a whole book about stepson Justin W. Ellison. He and I go back to when he was just 15 years old working part time for me after school and week-ends at White Ford in Cross City in 1996.
We then worked together at Mott Tire in Gainesville. In 19891 was offered a store manager's position at the Main St. store. I was able to bring Justin with me as assistant manager. That year we were given honors as best store in the region runner-up.
Back to City Boy's, with some of the technician and tire changer personal problems ironed out, I again turned to Justin for my assistant store manager in 1995. This situation did not work out this time as he was married and had a baby Christopher and was uncertain as to what role he was to play.
After two years and Justin gaining experience in a couple of different auto related jobs, I hired him back. This move at this time was not recommended to me by more than one advisor.
When Justin came on board this time there was no looking back. He was serious, committed, focused to make City Boy's the very best and the very best for his customers. Next to marrying his mother this was the best move I've ever made in business.
By 1998, the day to day operation of City Boy's is run and partially owned by Justin. Because of his hard work the store now does more sales than ever anticipated and Bert Daughtery is still with us after over 10 years of service.
Justin and family, as of January 1, 2006 are sole owners of both City Boy's corporate locations, High Springs and Alachua. His mother and I are very proud.
Kip and Sandy Pierce thank you and God Bless and thanks to all of our loyal customers who made success possible.
Pete Woodward - Former City Boy