VIP Tires & Service Opens Location in Rutland, Vermont

60th VIP Tires & Service Location & Second Location in Vermont

VIP Tires & Service celebrated the opening of its new store in Rutland, Vermont today, making it the company’s second store in the Green Mountain State, and its 60th in New England. The new store is located at 133 Strongs Avenue and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the event. VIP has numerous store locations, including 19 in New Hampshire, 4 in Massachusetts, 2 in Vermont, and 35 in Maine.

“We recognized a valuable opportunity to expand our footprint and, after doing some research, felt that Rutland was the perfect community to grow in,” said Tim Winkeler, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIP Tires & Service. “Our entry into Vermont began with the opening of our Williston location in October 2018, and when this former Vianor Tire facility in Rutland became available, we knew it was the right time to bring our unique and customer-focused approach to tires & service to this market.”

VIP began renovations on the existing tire facility in August 2020. Today, the 7,800 square-foot store is finished and features five service bays and onsite tire storage space for 2000 tires. With the goal of reducing wait times and providing accessibility to a broad array of tire manufacturers and price points, VIP prides itself on holding large tire inventories at its stores so the team can say ‘yes’ to customers for immediate tire installation.

Improving the Customer Experience for Tire and Auto Service

All VIP Tires & Service locations offer a tire shop and full-service automotive repair, with everything from brake repair, to preventative maintenance, muffler and exhaust repair, multi-point vehicle inspections, wheel alignments, state inspections, and oil changes. In addition to providing superior auto and tire services, VIP is very customer-focused and wants to ensure an exceptional in-store experience. The open concept customer waiting area features a laptop bar with multiple seats and individual plug-ins, a beverage bar, and a TV sitting area, making it easy for individuals to stay connected to work and family while they wait for their vehicle. Additionally, the waiting area holds 40 tires on display so customers can see and touch different models before making their purchase decision.

When this VIP location is fully staffed, customers will be greeted by a nine-person staff including a Manager, Assistant Manager, Service Advisor, three ASE Certified Technicians, and three Tire & Lube Technicians. VIP is currently seeking local applicants to fill some of these open positions. Russell Gilman, a well-respected auto service professional in the community, will lead the VIP team at its new Rutland location.

“With our roster of certified professionals, we look forward to helping the residents of Rutland, as well as the surrounding towns, take care of their cars for years to come,” continued Winkeler. “Come on down, meet us, and see what makes VIP different.”

Store hours of operations are Monday through Saturday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.