Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 26/00) - The owners of Fountain Tire Yellowknife are looking forward to the challenges the Northern market has to offer.

"I wanted to start a Fountain Tire from scratch, and this was an opportunity," said Fountain Tire Yellowknife president Rod Lowen.

Yellowknife is "very unique," he said, adding the city has characteristics that are different from other places.

Lowen, who runs the business with his wife, Brenda, specifically pointed to freight costs and climate.

In fact, Northern conditions threw Fountain Tire owners a bit of curve in late November and December. With the ferry out and no ice bridge at the Mackenzie River, Lowen said there was a bit of a delay in opening the new business.

"It wasn't so much cost but delay. We were shooting for a Jan. 4 opening," Lowen said.

Fountain, located at the old Grizzly Tire site on Old Airport Road, opened Jan. 17. Grizzly Tire part-owner Lori Piro closed the business to concentrate on other ventures.

The Lowens, originally from Grande Prairie, Alta., came to Yellowknife from Bow Island, Alta. Rod, a licensed automotive technician, worked as a mechanic at the Fountain Tire in Bow Island.

Three years ago, he took a management and ownership stake in the Bow Island Fountain Tire business. And when it comes to service, Lowen said ownership is a real motivator.

"We have a majority stake in this company," he said.

The Lowens own 51 per cent, while Fountain Tire partners own the remaining 49 per cent.

Fountain, a chain of shops, was started in 1956 in Wainwright, Alta., by Bill Fountain. Today, there are about 120 Fountain Tire outlets in Canada.

Fountain Tire Yk not only sells tires, but also offers automotive repair and parts.

The Yk shop is planning a grand opening later this year, likely in the summer to coincide with the Midnight Sun Golf Tournament, said Lowen.

It seems the private company's southern partners are keen to make tracks to experience golfing Yk-style.