Plans set for Les Schwab tire store in Sisters

Sisters will soon be the home of a Les Schwab Tire Center. About 1.5 acres adjacent to the Sisters Motor Lodge just west of the junction of the McKenzie and Santiam highways has been purchased.

Construction may begin after Labor Day.

The parcel was purchased by Jerry Taylor. Taylor is manager of the Les Schwab Tire Center on Franklin Street in Bend and has been a Les Schwab District Manager for the last eight years.

Taylor said he hopes to begin construction of the Sisters Les Schwab Tire Center in September or October. The property is next to but not part of the proposed Pine Meadow Ranch development.

Taylor currently lives in Tumalo but is looking forward to moving to Sisters.

"Les Schwab started in Central Oregon, and this is the last niche were there isn't a store. This is an opportunity to live in the most beautiful place in the state and still work for Les Schwab," said Taylor.

The 10,000 square-foot "associate dealership" will be privately owned by Taylor, who has worked for Schwab for 26 years. His two sons, Terry, 35, and Jeff, 25, who also work for the tire company, will join Taylor at the new location, which will "be all Les Schwab, from logo to product to service," Taylor said.

Not all are lining up to greet the new tire center with open arms. Mary Fowler, owner of the Sisters Motor Lodge that would be next to the Schwab store, said she had some questions about "locating a tire store on a scenic byway next to a sleepy little motel and one of the prettiest llama ranches anywhere."

Fowler also said that she worries about a proposed extension of Hood Street, and how it will impact local traffic.

"Les Schwab does a nice job. I use them myself, but I don't go there for the view," Fowler said. "I think there are many other places in Sisters that would be a better choice."

Fowler acknowledged that she was concerned about the impact of the store on her own business, "but I am also concerned for the community itself."

However, the property is zoned for general commercial development, according to Sisters City Planner Neil Thompson. Because the parcel lies outside the city limits, it would come under Deschutes County zoning rules.

"A tire store is an outright permitted use under county rules," Thompson said.

Under city rules, Thompson said an enclosed tire store would also be allowed. "An auto parts store is allowed, as is a service station, as long as they are enclosed. That's what I base my interpretation on."

Thompson said the only concern he might have with that interpretation is that Sisters' zoning ordinance specifically says a tire store is an outright permitted use in the industrial park.

Jerry Taylor said that Schwab already has a large number of customers in Sisters "who are divided out in all of the stores in Central Oregon. We can bring them better service by locating right in the community."

Taylor said the store will have 10 to 12 employees "to begin with and we will hopefully be able to take applications from local people."

In addition to tires, wheels and batteries, Taylor hopes to offer alignment, shocks and brakes "with service trucks available for service calls to home or on the farm."