Davis Tire marks 70 years of service in Kinston
In a small garage on July 4, 1955, a local businessman named Reuben J. Davis opened the doors to what would become one of Kinston’s most enduring institutions. Now, 70 years later, Davis Tire & Auto remains a cornerstone of the community, rooted in a legacy of service and small-town loyalty.
“We’re here because of the people,” said Jeff Davis, son of the founder and current operator of the shop. “Without good customers, we wouldn’t be in business. This town has taken care of us, and we try every day to take care of them in return.”
The business, which originally operated more like a country store for field workers — offering snacks, sodas, and essentials to farmers in need of a quick stop — has grown alongside Kinston. Davis credits his father’s early commitment to the farming community for establishing the shop’s values.
“My dad’s motto was always, ‘If the farmers are in the field, we’ll be okay,’” Davis recalled. “He knew if you support the people who work the land, they’ll support you.”
Over the years, Davis Tire & Auto has kept its focus on one thing above all else: service. The average wait time for customers, Davis said, remains under 30 minutes — a figure they’re proud to maintain.
“We wait on people. That’s what sets us apart,” he said. “We don’t tell someone they’ll be here all day for a tire change. We hustle to make sure they’re back on the road.”
Unlike urban businesses where customer relationships often end with the transaction, Davis said doing business in a place like Kinston means every interaction matters — because you’ll likely see that customer again at dinner, the grocery store, or a ballgame.
“In a small town, your customers are also your friends,” he said. “You see them everywhere. And that makes us work even harder to do right by them.”
The shop celebrated its milestone anniversary in early July ahead of the Independence Day holiday. Davis noted the timing was intentional.
“We always try to stay open around the Fourth,” he said. “Back when we started, that was peak time for farm work. My dad made sure the shop was open because the farmers were working sunup to sundown, and they needed a place they could count on.”
While much has changed in the tire and auto industry since 1955, Davis believes the heart of the business remains the same: show up, work hard, and take care of your neighbors.
Asked what the 70th anniversary means to him personally, Davis deflected the credit. “It all goes back to my dad,” he said. “I just got the residual of what he built. I’m just trying not to lose it.”
As Davis Tire & Auto heads into its eighth decade, Davis says he’s hopeful about the future — and still just as focused on the next customer who walks through the door.
“You treat people right,” he said, “and they’ll keep coming back.”
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