Celebrating 90+ Years of Quality Service
Back in 1921, Art Rowley began what would become the catalyst which sparked a long-running, local family business—simply vulcanizing inner tubes in his basement. This modest practice slowly expanded with the help of his brothers, leading to the opening of their first gasoline station: Rowley Brothers.
The early functioning of the business was essentially retailing tires, oil, and gasoline, as well as being a wholesale distributor. As popularity spiked over the following 90 years, so did the business—several new locations were added and an automobile service business was incorporated under the Rowley name.
Rowleys Tires & Automotive Services, Inc. with locations in Bay City and Lapeer. The company still remains family-owned after almost a century of offering local automotive services.
This modest practice slowly expanded with the help of his brothers, leading to the opening of their first gasoline station: Rowley Brothers.
On July 4th 1923, they opened the first “Rowley Brothers” gasoline station. A wood storage facility was constructed in 1927 and more gasoline stations were opened in 1928 and 1935.
Art’s two sons both became active in the business: Paul in 1949 and Jim in 1957.
Rowley Brothers later expanded this new building—twice. The first of the expansions came a year after its construction; in 1968 additional storage and three service bays were added, marking the re-entry for the company into the automobile service industry. In 1972, the building was again expanded to allow four more service bays.
In 1987, a new warehouse and general office were built, the wholesale operations division of the company moved, and the automobile service business became part of another company owned by the Rowley family. This corporation was renamed “Rowleys Tires & Automotive Services, Inc.”
Following Jim’s retirement, Loyal Bismack became a partner with Paul Rowley family. In 1996, three additional service bays were added. Rowleys Tires & Automotive Services, Inc. bought a similar family business in Lapeer, Michigan in August of 1997. Back in Bay City, a new (4th) service area was completed in 1999.