Grismer Tire, Troy

In 1987, the Dayton Daily News briefly outlined the life of Charles L. Marshall, the then 86-year-old president and owner of Grismer Tire & Auto Service Center. Though the article appeared a quarter of a century ago, it still captured 55 years worth of history at Grismer, from its purchase during “the dark days” of the Great Depression—thanks to Marshall’s winning personality and a banker’s $13,000 loan—to its transformation into one of the most successful auto centers in Ohio.

Today, at each of its more than 20 locations scattered across Ohio, ASE-certified technicians continue to dispense the top-notch service that made the garage famous. They drain and replenish oil, align wheels, and fix busted transmissions and cooling systems. Equipped with nine brands of tires, including Michelin, Bridgestone, and BF Goodrich, the team outfits rides of all makes and models with brand-new rollers, allowing them to zip down highways or blend in at parades with ease.