NEW BUSINESS: AUTO TIRE IN ANNA

Auto Tire and Parts Center, headquartered in Cape Girardeau, recently opened its 20th store.

The company's newest operation is at Anna, Ill.

"This is a significant milestone in the 89-year history of our company," said Greg Stroup, president of the company, a supplier of automotive, truck and agricultural parts.

"We're not only excited to join the Anna community but are proud to now serve 20 Heartland communities," said Stroup.

The new location offers access to one of the largest automotive and heavy duty machine shops in the area. The company provides a large inventory of both foreign and domestic automotive, agriculture and truck parts, along with a complete line of DuPont Automotive Paint products. The company's 100,000-square-foot warehouse is at 212 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

The company picks up and delivers to each location, said Mike Himmelberg, Auto Tire and Parts general manager.

The newest store is staffed by Larry Yates, Brad Pender, Robbie Lingle and Chris Plott, local Anna residents who team up to provide 50 years of experience to their customers.

Auto Tire and Parts was founded in 1909 by Barret Cotner with a store on Spanish Street.

In 1948, the company was acquired by new owners, including J.P. and F.P. Tlapek. The company today remains in the Tlapek family.

John Tlapek is chairman of the board, and Bob Tlapek is chief financial officer.

The company acquired a crankshaft grinder in 1983, adding capabilities to grind crankshafts up to 122 inches. Crankshafts larger than 6 feet previously had to be sent to St. Louis or Memphis.

In 1986, the company purchased D&D Automotive Parts in Jackson

The company operates three divisions, parts and equipment, machine shop and paint division.