Sep. 16—Tyler's Tire & Auto Center has been a staple in the Aiken community for decades, as proven by their repeat wins in Aiken's Choice.
The family-owned auto repair shop has been winning in at least one category in the Aiken Standard's Readers' Choice since the late 1990s.
This year, Tyler's Tire won in the Best Oil Change and Best Auto Repair categories.
"We started this contest 24 years ago, and Tyler Tire has won in one or multiple categories every year since the beginning," said Diane Daniell, advertising sales manager for the Aiken Standard.
Tyler's Tire started off as a single-car garage but has expanded over the years to two different locations. Tom Tyler opened the first garage in 1963. The location on Whiskey Road is run by Tyler's son Travis while the location on Richland Avenue is run by Tyler's daughter Bambi Harmon.
"My dad started his business in 1963, and that was how he built his business, on being honest with people and giving them a fair price for work and tires and everything," Harmon said.
Both locations are recipients of these Aiken's Choice Awards.
The award reflects the community's trust in the businesses featured by Aiken's Choice, Daniell said.
"What this shows the community is that these businesses — and businesses that repeatedly win, because we have a lot that have repeatedly won several years in a row — is people trust them and they have a confidence in them, whether it's a product or service," she said.
Being active members of the community is important for Harmon and Tyler's Tire & Auto Center.
"We feel like we really know them, and we know what they need," Harmon said. "And we're not going to try to take advantage of them because we live in the community with them, and we go to church with them."
Harmon said she will offer a coupon to thank fans of the auto center for supporting Tyler's Tire in Aiken's Choice. People will come and offer feedback based on Aiken's Choice.
"A lot of people comment about all the plaques that are on the wall, and I know that way I get feedback from it," Harmon said.
Tyler's Tire & Auto Center also gives back to the community , like by sponsoring local sports teams, she said.
"We just try to put ourselves back into the community and help," Harmon said.
Being able to run her father's businesses is important to Harmon, and it brings her a strong sense of pride to see the positive response from the Aiken community.
"I'm proud that people think enough of us to trust us with their vehicle because oftentimes, a vehicle is one of the most expensive things that they own," she said. "And we're thankful that people allow us to work on their vehicles. I've been here long enough where I'm seeing my dad's customers being my customers, and now their children. So, it's kind of neat that we're getting to see three generations of customers."