Parts dealer deserves award from chamber

The applause that exploded from those gathered at the annual Industry Appreciation Dinner last week showed how excited this community is about a local business success story.

It had just been announced that Auto Tire and Parts won the Commitment to Excellence Award, and company president Greg Stroup strode to the stage to accept it.

Few companies in the area have as long of a history. Barett Cotner started the business in 1909. He was looking for ways to get hard-to-find parts for his Model T Ford and opened the first store at the corner of Broadway and Spanish Street.

The family-owned business, which was bought from Cotner by Pat Tlapek in 1948, has become a chain of 27 stores throughout Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Auto Tire and Parts has more than 200 employees and an annual payroll of several million dollars.

The chamber of commerce gives its award to a business that not only is successful, but also plays a leading role in the community. The leaders of Auto Tire and Parts are at the forefront of many fund-raising efforts and city events.

Congratulations to the Auto Tire and Parts leadership and employees, who earned this award.