After Bissen TV and Appliance moved its store west, Lowell Day did the same with his business.

Day had owned Rochester Tire in Rochester for more than 24 years before deciding to sell the business. But he decided he wasn't ready for retirement and bought the former Bissen building at 415 10th St. NE in Austin.

He opened Austin Tire there about a month ago.

Some of his customers in Rochester had been from Austin and he said he likes the town.

"I like the location," Day said. "The building was kind of what I was looking for."

Austin Tire sells tires for automobiles, trucks, tractors and medium trucks and offers brands such as Michelin, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal and General-Continental. The store also offers auto repair in alignments, brakes, exhaust and air conditioning.

"We guarantee our work 100 percent," Day said.

Day grew up on a farm outside of Pine Island and has been working in automotive repair his entire adult life. He's been in the tire business for 35 years and owned his own business for more than 20.

"I'm a farm boy," Day said. "Being on a farm, I'm used to being independent. It's been good to me."

Austin Tire store manager, Don Schlaeppi, has worked for Day for more than 20 years.

"We know the tire business," Day said. "We're good at it and our prices can't be beat."

Day lives south of Rochester, but he wants to be involved in the community. He recently joined the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce for that reason and to meet other local businesses.

"If I'm going to do business in town, I'd kinda like to be a part of the town," Day said.

The store is planning a grand opening event in July.

Austin Tire is an American Car Care Center authorized dealer. The store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information call Austin Tire at 396-0105.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com