A large crowd gathered March 6 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Western Auto / AJ Price, Inc. Tires & Service, showing support for one of Minden’s longest continuously operating businesses.
The anniversary event, held at the company’s main location on Main Street, featured live music, refreshments, and giveaways as community members joined the Collins family in marking nine decades of business in the city.
Owner John Collins credited the company’s longevity to the people who have supported it through the years.
“The key to our success is we have some really good employees and some really, really good customers,” Collins said.
The business traces its roots back to the Great Depression, when Collins’ grandfather learned about an opportunity to open a Western Auto dealership. At the time, the family lived in Houston, Texas, but the elder Collins traveled to Minden, where he met H.O. West and quickly developed an appreciation for the community.
“At that time, we were like the Walmart of Minden. Things worked out really well,” Collins said.
Over the years, the family business continued to grow and evolve. Collins recalled when his son, Alex Collins, joined the company and began introducing new ideas.
One early project involved remodeling an interior wall at the store.
“He took the paneling off, busted off some of the plaster, and let the bricks show through,” Collins said. “He said, ‘This is distressed.’ I was distressed! … I’ve gotten more compliments and writeups on that wall than I’ve got on anything ever,” he said with a laugh.
The company expanded further in 2003 when Alex Collins encouraged the family to purchase another location in Benton.
Later improvements followed at the original location in Minden. During one of John Collins’ vacations, additional changes were made to the facility.
“I went on vacation, vacations are tough for me. I came home from vacation and he had a four-bay garage set up over there,” Collins said. “That worked out pretty good. We immediately went into the front-end business.”
Another expansion came after John Collins had purchased property along Highway 531, intending to eventually develop it. While he was away again, construction crews began work on the site.
“I came back in from another vacation, and there were dozers everywhere,” Collins said. “I started getting calls at 10 o’clock at night saying congratulations. On what? Your new store.”
The location has since become a successful addition to the family’s operations.
“You know, they do four times what we do here, so it worked out pretty good!” he said.
Reflecting on the company’s long history, Collins said the family’s faith played a role in the business’s success.
“My grandfather always said, ‘When I start this, the Lord will take care of me.’ Well, with all that’s happened, the Lord has taken care of me,” he said.
During the anniversary celebration, John Collins presented his son Alex with a plaque recognizing his vision and drive in helping grow the family business and continue its legacy in the region.
Western Auto / AJ Price, Inc. Tires & Service remains a fixture in downtown Minden, continuing a legacy that began 90 years ago during the Great Depression. As the Collins family looks to the future, the anniversary celebration served as both a reflection on the business’s history and a recognition of the employees, customers, and community support that have helped sustain it for generations.
