Western Auto

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Western Auto Supply Company is a chain of automobile parts stores. It was started in 1909 in Kansas City, Missouri, by George Pepperdine, who later founded Pepperdine University.

Western Auto originally started as a mail order business for replacement auto parts. The first retail store was established in 1921, and grew quickly as automobiles became more and more common. At one point, there were over 1,200 comapny-owned stores nationwide and more than 600 associate stores (private franchise locations). The company had five regional distribution centers in the United States, with the one located in North Carolina serving its stores in Puerto Rico.

Western Auto was known for its "Western Flyer" bicycle and "Performance Radial GT" tire brands. Western Auto was also the parent company of Auto America and Parts America stores, as well as acquiring National Tire & Battery.

In 1987, Sears Roebuck purchased a large holding in Western Auto, which resulted in greater tire selections, Craftsman tools and DieHard batteries being sold at Western Auto stores. In 1992, as part of its agreement with Sears, Western Auto began phasing out auto service in most of its stores. By 1996, Western Auto no longer offered automotive services, and phased out tire sales in most retail locations. As most stores relied on auto service to make a profit, this quickly resulted in declining sales and store closings. By the beginning of 1997, there remained less than 850 company-owned stores.

In 1998, parent company Sears sold Western to Advance Auto Parts of Roanoke, Virginia. Most of the stores, located primarily in the eastern United States, have since been converted into Advance stores.

The Western Auto name is still used in Puerto Rico, where it is the largest such chain, even though the Western Auto name is being phased out store by store.

The building that once housed the corporate headquarters at 2107 Grand Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, has been transformed into loft condominiums. The Western Auto sign remains atop the building, and is illuminated nightly.