ASHLAND — Chad Ackerman started his career at Kauffman Tire in Wooster, and he saw it change hands twice.
It sold to another family first, and then to Mr. Tire. After 10 years there, Ackerman said he left in 2018 to start his own business, Ackerman Auto & Tire, in Wooster.
The shop in Wooster offers “service to all makes and models and treats every vehicle like it is our own,” according to its website.
It specializes in “brakes, suspension, steering, tune ups, tires, oil changes, Alignments, A/C repair, starting and charging systems, battery replacement, drivetrain, differentials and lighting,” the website continues.
For Ackerman, it was a dream to own a business, he said. He describes himself as a “nonstop-moving” kind of person, and after 10 years working in auto shops, he knew what a good model looked like.
On Monday, Ackerman celebrated his business’s expansion from his hometown of Wooster into neighboring Ashland.
Ackerman grand opening
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting. City councilwoman Angela Woodward, chamber president Amy Daubenspeck and Ackerman all spoke at the event.
Ackerman told the crowd he chose Ashland because of its proximity to Wooster. But, he added he liked Ashland and had built connections in the community over the years. His oldest son got his degree at Ashland University too, he said.
Ackerman said he wants Ashland to experience the good customer service offered in Wooster.
“I’m excited to see when people get taken care of like they should get taken care of, and to bless people with good service and see how that turns into business,” he said.
Ackerman Auto & Tire’s Ashland location is located at 1249 Claremont Ave. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ackerman said he views family as important. That’s why shop is closed on the weekends — to offer his employees a chance to spend time with their families.
“I like to think once I hire somebody, they’re part of the family.”
