DANVILLE -- A tire and auto shop in Danville that's been in business for 60 years will close on Thursday.
Throughout the day, customers stopped by Deihl's Tire and Auto in Danville to try to get in one last service before the business closes for good.
"We figured we're going away, so we wanted to get the oil changed before we do that," Barry Reynolds said.
Robert Deihl has owned Deihl's Tire and Auto for the past 40 years. He bought the business from his parents.
"60 years Deihl's Tire and Auto has been in Danville," Deihl said.
Deihl's parents opened the shop on Mill Street in 1956. In 1973, after the flood of '72, they moved into the building behind the Old Forge Brewing Company. Deihl thinks his customers enjoy the convenience of his location.
"They could go to the bank, go to the post office, the ladies could get a perm, people could go across the street and have a beer and a sandwich. [There's] things for them to do while they're having their vehicle serviced," Deihl said.
Deihl has made a lot of friends along the way.
"Seen a lot of, many generations come and go. People I've known for a long time," Deihl said.
One of those friends is Barry Reynolds of Danville.
"He's a great guy. They do good work down here and I hate to see him go," Reynolds said.
Deihl hopes someone will buy the business and keep it as an auto shop because it's the only one in downtown Danville.
"Everything will be in place that they can turn the key and start right up with all the equipment and everything in place," Deihl said.
Deihl is retiring so he can spend more time with his family. Deihl's Tire and Auto closes on Thursday.
