OUR COMPANY
Trusted Tire Experts Serving Vermont for Over 42 Years
For more than four decades, we've proudly served Central and Northern Vermont with expert tire service and unbeatable customer care. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff is dedicated to helping you find the right tires for your vehicle, offering honest guidance, exceptional value, and dependable service every step of the way. As an independent tire dealer, we’re not tied to one manufacturer. That means our recommendations are based solely on your needs, not brand loyalty. Your safety, comfort, and satisfaction are our top priorities, and we work hard to ensure your tires deliver the best in performance and value.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or one of our many loyal customers, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you. It's thanks to your continued support that both our South Burlington and Montpelier locations have been voted Best Tire Store in local "Best Of" surveys every year since 2007.
Our History
Our Story: From a Single Station to Vermont's Trusted Tire Experts
In the early 1970s, Bob Rochefort was managing the auto department at Montgomery Ward in Barre, Vermont. With a growing family and limited career advancement options - ones that would've taken him far from his beloved home state - Bob knew it was time to chart his own path.
Around that time, Sunoco was opening a new gas station in Montpelier. Over 50 mechanics applied to run it. Bob, however, wasn't a mechanic - he was a manager and a salesman. That turned out to be his edge. He convinced Sunoco that his business mindset would allow him to focus on customer service and bring in work others might pass up. Bob's Sunoco opened soon after, and he was off and running.
Sunoco gave Bob 100 Kelly tires, expecting them to sell over 90 days. He sold every single one within two weeks.
Not long after, a representative from Uniroyal Tire stopped by. At the time, Uniroyal supplied tires for all GM cars, but local dealers had nowhere to handle adjustments. Seeing the opportunity, Bob sold his wife Sheila's beloved Jeep CJ to fund his first full container of tires (We'll leave the consequences of that decision to your imagination). Soon, two 40-foot trailers beside the station were packed with inventory. Bob ran that station successfully for 11 years - but it became clear his ambitions had outgrown the small gas station.
The Birth of Vermont Tire
The land that would eventually house the first Vermont Tire store, was originally meant for a Grand Union supermarket, but when that deal fell through, Bob seized the opportunity and purchased it.
With support from Uniroyal, Bob designed a tire store unlike anything in the area. Sheila played a critical role in its planning - insisting on a comfortable waiting area with toys and books for kids, clean seating, and bagged tires to keep customers' vehicles spotless. She understood what many overlooked most tire buyers were women, and the experience needed to be clean, welcoming and respectful.
In November 1983, Vermont Tire & Service, opened its doors in Montpelier.
Growing with Integrity
From the beginning, Vermont Tire was built on simple, and powerful principles
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Treat people right, and they'll come back.
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Never sell something a customer doesn't need.
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Always walk the high road.
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If you make a mistake, make it right.
Bob often said, "I don't want to just sell you tires - I want to sell your sister, brother, uncle, parents, and best friend tires too." He knew that doing right by people would lead to lifelong customers and community trust.
In 1984, Vermont Tire expanded to South Burlington. By 1990, the shop moved to its current location at 1877 Williston Road, where it continues to serve Vermont drivers with honesty, expertise, and heart.
A Family Legacy, Three Generations Strong
In 2005, Bob's son, Mark, returned to Vermont with his wife, Holly, to help lead the family business into its next chapter. With a passion for growth, and a deep understanding of the local market, Mark expanded Vermont Tire by launching a wholesale division - giving other shops across the region better access to tires suited for Vermont's unique climate.
Nearly two decades later, the family tradition continues. Mark's daughter, Julia, and her husband Nate, have also come home to carry on the legacy. Nate now represents a third generation to run Vermont Tire, bringing fresh energy while staying true to the values that have defined the business for over 40 years: honesty, service, and community.
If you're a Vermont radio listener, you may already know the next chapter of the story - "The Adventures of Julia" - a lighthearted series inspired by Julia, Nate, and their dogs. It's just one more way this family-run business continues to connect to Vermonters.