Due to ‘that COVID stuff,’ Lonnie Bosley closed tire stores faster than he expanded

As quickly as Lonnie Bosley expanded his Bosley’s Tire & Wheel stores, he’s closed them even more quickly.

Bosley said he closed his stores at Towne West Square and downtown, where he had a large mural of himself atop a Hummer on the side of the building just south of Douglas and Washington, due to “that COVID stuff.”

He’s selling the building where his east-side store has been at 9045 E. Kellogg near the Turnpike because someone was interested in buying it. The store closed two weeks ago, and Bosley expects the sale of the building to close in two weeks.

His flagship store at 3948 S. Broadway will remain open.

“We’re swamped all the time.”

He said business has increased there since he’s closed his other stores.

“We were busy anyway, but I mean we’re really swamped now.”

Bosley said he’ll keep that store “as long as possible.”

He said he doesn’t have plans to open any other stores “unless this COVID stuff goes away.”

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 9:19 AM.