An over 50-year-old business in Jefferson recently uprooted to a new location.

Wahl/McAtee Tire and Service opened their new location on north Highway 4 in the Greene County Development west business park. Co-owner Mike Wahl says one of the reasons for moving the business from West McKinley Street to Highway 4 was an idea that former owner Dean McAtee had when he first opened the automotive business 52 years ago. He talks about seeing his name on the outside wall of the 7,500-square-foot facility.

“For me its tradition. I grew up in Rockwell City. We were always Wahl/McAtee Tire and our two families have been together for many, many years. And I just wanted to carry on the tradition of the McAtee family.”

Employee Everett Beebe describes some of the advantages of being out on the highway.

“The big thing is, we have the drive-thru bay for trucks. We’re getting a lot of traffic coming off the highway, whether it be Highway 4 of Highway 30. The exposure is so much better out there than where we were before. Then of course, right there on Highway 4, everybody can see us. We’ve got the glass doors facing the east, got more parking out there now for everybody, and easy accessibility for anybody coming out that way.”

Wahl adds that they added another hoist, bringing their total up to five, and can handle full-size semis at the new location.

A grand opening event is planned for Friday, March 30th. From 4 to 7pm, the public can enjoy pork sandwiches, cheese potatoes, baked beans and beverages. There will also be a bounce house and Greene County Farm Bureau will provide pedal pull tractors for kids. Plus, there will be several giveaway opportunities.