In its long history, Chlouber Tire has withstood the tests of time.
     Chlouber Tire was born at 502 E. Main, as Ed Chlouber's Phillips 66 filling station.   "He got his start on June 15, 1931, with Phillips Petroleum," Don Chlouber recalled about his father.
     Ed Chlouber taught his son the business from the ground up, later making him a partner.  In 1950, the business moved to its current location, at Harrison and Highland streets.
     However, the elder Chlouber initially resisted the move. Chlouber Tire had two locations until 1964.  "It was years later before he moved to our new location," Don Chlouber said.
     Chlouber Tire offers a variety of services, from retail tire sales, repair such as vulcanizing and recapping, to complete service for large tires such as tractor tires and earthmover tires.   Chlouber Tire is a name widely recognized in Oklahoma. At one time, Otasco tire stores relied on Chlouber to pick up all the tires from their Oklahoma stores and recap the tires.
     The Chlouber name is also recognized outside of Oklahoma. Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa rely on this Shawnee business to repair large tires.  "We do retreads and vulcanizing, which is repairing holes," Chlouber said.  Don Chlouber recalled the first time he had to vulcanize an earthmover tire.  "It took me four days," he laughed. "But my father wanted me to learn the business."
     Chlouber also worked on the Lake Thunderbird earthmover while the lake was under construction.  The biggest changes in Chlouber's business occurred after his father's passing.
     First, the company discontinued the service station in order to focus on the tire business.  Later, the popularity of the radial tire virtually eliminated the need for passenger tire retreading.  "We used to retread around 100 passenger tires a day," Chlouber said. "But the radial tire is built to withstand the Oklahoma weather."  Chlouber, who has been working for about 47 years, admits he is thinking about retirement. But stepson  Dean Wall is prepared to oversee the business.   "Dean's been with me for about 22 years," Chlouber said. "Next year will be our 70th year in business, and this business has always been in the same family."  In his many years at Chlouber Tire, Don Chlouber has had some memorable experiences.
     In 1954, Chlouber was working on an Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicle when he accidentally spilled gasoline on it. A fire erupted and Chlouber was slightly burned. The OHP vehicle was severely damaged.  The patrolman was "upset," Chlouber said with a smile.
     "Back then, I guess they didn't have that much insurance the way they do now," he said.  One of the more notable customers was Chicago Bears defensive left end Dan Hampton, who played alongside William "The Refrigerator" Perry.
     "He brought in a truck that needed tires," Chlouber said. "He stayed most of that Saturday afternoon, just visiting. Later, he sent us a picture from the Bears."
     Most of Chlouber's business is made up of long-time customers. Wall said it is not unusual for a customer to remember accompanying a grandparent to Chlouber Tire as a youth.

* used by permission of the News-Star.