Photos Provided
Store Manager Tony Lyon (Right) with his Les Schwab Team in Chehalis.
— Cynthia Mudge —
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
Les Schwab Tire Center is a well-established name for those living on the West Coast. The company is known for its efficient service, friendly staff, and, of course, the signature popcorn that greets customers as they walk through the door.
Founder Les Schwab passed away in 2007, and the company is now owned by a larger corporation. However, the vision that made the company stand out remains the same: give people more for their money and earn their trust. Schwab built the company from the ground up, opening the first store in 1952 in Prineville, Oregon. He believed in rewarding employees and giving them opportunities to grow and succeed. That commitment is still evident in local Les Schwab stores today. The company now operates more than 540 locations and continues to expand its footprint into the Midwest, with an ambitious goal of opening around thirty new stores each year.
The Chehalis Les Schwab store opened in 1980 and became a member of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce in 1981. The business is recognized as one of the Chamber’s Legacy Members, honoring more than four decades of commitment to both the Chamber and the local community.
Originally located at 36 N. Market Boulevard, the Chehalis store moved in January 2020 to its current location at 1980 NW Louisiana Avenue. The move allowed the business to better serve customers and gain greater visibility to freeway traffic. The familiar Les Schwab logo is often a welcome sight for travelers and residents alike who need immediate tire service or other urgent vehicle care. In addition to tires, the store provides brake service, alignments, batteries, shocks, struts, and commercial vehicle services.
Chehalis Store Manager Tony Lyon is a strong example of the commitment and longevity Les Schwab is known for. He began his career with the company in 1996 and has managed the Chehalis store since 2016.
“We appreciate the loyalty of our customers,” Lyon said. His staff reflects the founder’s vision, with employee contributions valued as a cornerstone of the company’s success. The Chehalis store currently employs 27 people, many of whom have been with the company for more than twenty years.
In keeping with the founder’s philosophy, the Chehalis Les Schwab store remains actively involved in the community. The business supports school athletics and participates in the annual youth livestock auction at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. One of their most popular fundraising partnerships involves donating popcorn and bags for concession sales at local athletic events. Anyone who has visited a Les Schwab store recognizes the familiar aroma of popcorn that welcomes customers into the lobby.
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Les Scwhab Tire Center
Chehalis
1980 NW. Louisiana Avenue
Chehalis, WA 98532
(360) 748-0295
lesschwab.com
The Centralia location is also a legacy company having formed in 1988 and joined The Chamber in 2003.
Les Schwab Tire Center
Centralia
1211 Harrison
Centralia, WA 98531
(360) 736-6603
lesschwab.com
