Warren Tire is marking 50 years in business, a milestone that reflects a journey shaped by risk, resilience and strong ties to family and community.
The business began in 1976 when Charlie and Lynda de Laroque took over a small tire shop in Warren, started two years earlier by Jim and Al Findlay. The decision was driven more by necessity than long-term planning.
“I had quit my job in Winnipeg and we had bills and wanted to eat,” Charlie said.
With no experience in the tire industry and limited resources, the early days were challenging. Charlie described them as “terrible,” citing a steep learning curve, minimal tools and no steady paycheque.
Lynda said the transition came during a difficult time, as Charlie worked long hours as a parts salesman at International Harvester while managing an expensive commute from Argyle.
“It called for a change,” she said.
With mentorship from Jim Anderson and the patience of early customers — including farmers, truckers and local families — the business gradually found its footing.
Over the decades, Warren Tire evolved alongside advances in agriculture and transportation. Tires became larger, more specialized and more costly, particularly for farm equipment.
“Now there can be six or seven different sizes for the same vehicle,” Charlie said. “Customers want it yesterday.”
The rise of large-scale farming also required investment in specialized service trucks and equipment to handle increasingly massive tires.
The couple faced ongoing challenges, including finding reliable staff and deciding when to expand. Building their first Quonset shop during a period of high interest rates was a significant financial risk.
They also endured profound personal loss. In 1977, their daughter Julie died in an accident.
“The tire shop had to keep operating, so it was one foot ahead of the other and one day at a time,” Lynda said.
That determination carried the family through future hardships, including the loss of a granddaughter, Danica de Laroque, and later their son Eddie, who had taken over the business with his wife Kim.
Eddie and Kim purchased the business from Charlie and Lynda on April 1, 2006. While Eddie had grown up in the shop and brought years of experience, his wife entered the business with little knowledge of the industry after years as a stay-at-home mother.
“Ed was a natural-born leader and so competent and knowledgeable; therefore, it was a smooth transition,” Kim said. “For myself, I knew very little about tires or the industry. I had substantial catching up to do.”
Today, Kim continues to lead the business following Eddie’s passing, carrying forward the values he upheld.
“Ed ran his business with honesty and integrity. It was very important to provide excellent service at fair prices,” she said. “We continue to operate with Ed’s values and his commitment to his customers and community.”
She said stepping into a leadership role has brought its own challenges.
“I didn’t want to step into the role of boss. It was important to me to support my employees,” she said. “Navigating this role still poses many challenges.”
Today, Kim continues to lead the operation, demonstrating what Lynda calls “true grit and determination.”
Over the past two decades, the business has remained rooted in family, with children, grandchildren and extended relatives contributing in various ways. It has also provided opportunities to mentor young employees and build lasting relationships within the community.
“I have watched many young people go on to do some amazing things,” Kim said. “I’ve had the privilege of getting to know so many people from so many walks of life.”
Community support has been key to the company’s longevity, particularly during difficult times.
“When Ed passed, the support my family and I received was overwhelming,” she said. “Without ongoing community support, we wouldn’t even be here.”
Charlie echoed that sentiment.
“Community support has been excellent, from all different areas,” he said.
That connection has led to memorable moments over the years, from late-night highway service calls to lighthearted customer interactions. Charlie recalled one customer who asked him to remove air from a tire so it would be lighter to lift.
“I tried to explain the air did not add any weight, but I lost the argument and let the air out for her,” he said.
Despite the changes in the industry, including advances in agricultural and truck tires, the focus on service and relationships has remained constant.
“I continue to learn every day,” Kim said. “I enjoy the connections I make with customers. I enjoy helping any way I can.”
Looking back, Charlie said he is proud not only of the business’s growth but of the relationships built across generations.
“It’s a good feeling to serve generations,” he said. “But you know you’re getting old when it’s the third.”
The milestone is also a moment of reflection for Kim, who credits the founders for creating the opportunity.
“I am so proud to be a part of this business, and I am so proud and grateful to Charlie and Lynda,” Kim said. “If it weren’t for the vision they had 50 years ago, I wouldn’t have had this incredible experience.”
As the business looks ahead, she hopes it will continue to grow and remain a place of opportunity for future generations.
“This has been an incredibly rewarding business, and I hope one day, when I retire, someone else will have the opportunity to experience it,” she said. “I just want to make my kids proud.”
Charlie, meanwhile, offered a characteristically blunt piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Get a government job with a pension.”
Even so, the values that built Warren Tire — hard work, fairness and community support — remain firmly in place as it enters its next chapter.
The de Laroque family will celebrate the 50-year milestone with a customer appreciation day on May 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the tire shop, 227 MacDonald Ave. in Warren.
