Since opening we have had 4 locations in downtown Ishpeming. In 1951 it was handed down to Mark's oldest son Jim and was known as Jim's Tire Shop from 1951 to 1972. In 1972 we moved into our present location and the name was changed back to Willey's Tire Shop. When most of the boys in the family became teenagers, the...y all had a job at the store. They would work Saturdays and after school in the fall, sometimes staying to midnight during the busy season right before snowfall. In 1982 it was then sold to the youngest brother, Marcus Willey Jr. In 1992 we opened our newest store in Marquette, MI. It is managed by Mark's son Scott. Back in 1923 we were selling Federal tires that were made with cotton cords. Later cotton cords were replaced by rayon cords, then nylon and polyester. Finally steel belts were introduced in radial tires, just like the tires we sell today. We also seen wheels change, they went from clincher rims to tube type and finally into the tubeless wheels we use today. Balancing has progressed through years. At first there was no balancing, then it went to bubble balancing, and finally into computerized spin balancing we use today. In 1986 we started doing computerized alignments and have been upgrading our equipment as technology advanced through the years. Some of our employees have been with us since 1982 and others have 19 to 26 years of experience. Through the years many things have changed, we now have access to most major brand name tires, and many private labels. We still try to offer friendly small town service to everyone we meet. Willey's Tire Shop has been family owned and operated since 1923. We are located one block for the Ishpeming High School and next door to Mama Mia's Restaurant. We offer Tire Service as well as Brakes, Alignments, Shocks, Struts, and most front end work.
