At a noon customer appreciation barbecue Henry Hildebrandt, owner of Fountain Tire in Virden speaks with satisfaction of the business he runs.
It was time for Hildebrandt to thank customers and to celebrate 15 years as Fountain Tire in Virden, and 60 years for the Fountain Tire brand.
Years ago, Hildebrandt began working as a field service hand. He knows the tire business from the ground up.
When the opportunity came along to open a Fountain Tire franchise, he acted. “It’s the best thing I ever did,” he says with conviction.
Originally, the business began on Frontage Road East, just a few hundred yards south of the current location.
In 2010 Hildebrandt moved his business to 15, Goodridge Road.
The store and service centre went from a two-bay shop to the new facility which he built, where the business continues to operate out of a larger store front with six bays to service customers, as well as field service calls.
The Fountain Tire franchise was what Hildebrandt had been looking for. “They offered their managers 50 percent ownership in the business,” he says, explaining it was an opportunity to own his own business.
On Tuesday, about 300 people dropped in for a burger and drink, and to enter a draw.
