For 10 years a staple of Main Street on the west side of Hamilton has been Pfefferle Tire and Auto, located at 990 Main St.
Chris Pfefferle has always been passionate about cars. He started going to work with his dad, Steve, when he was just seven years old.
“I kept going to work with my Dad. Was around him and around him, I started working when I was 14,” he said. “I just stayed doing it. I left early in high school with early release and went to work.”
After high school, Chris went to Miami Hamilton and Ohio State. Upon his return from college he went back to work for his dad, at the original Pfefferle Tire and Auto at 479 Nilles Road in Fairfield. Five years later, in 2010, he opened up shop at the new location.
“The opportunity just seemed to be there,” he said. “With that opportunity we took it and ran with it, and it’s been real good. We’ve had success here for 10 years.
Why open up in Hamilton? Well he already had some roots here.
“I’ve always been around Hamilton. Plus I’ve lived in Hamilton since I came home from Ohio State in 2005, so I just love this town,” said Pfefferle. “I’m glad I get to work in the town that I live in.”
Last year the original Pfefferle Tire and Auto in Fairfield celebrated their 25th anniversary. So for the Hamilton location it shows nothing more than how fast time passes.
“It seems like a long time but it has flown by,” he said. “I have an eight year old kid now. So to think about that and where the business is at, life is crazy man.”
The thing that Chris enjoys most about his career? The connection with customers.
“It’s different every day,” he said. “You get to work with people, you get to know your customers. They know you, they like you, they trust you. The fact that they bring it to me and trust me gives me a sense of accomplishment.”
Chris mentioned he doesn’t intend to have any celebration for the 10 year anniversary and is more focused on taking care of his employees.