Altons Tire Centers, the Spokane-based tire-sales and automotive-repair chain, plans to build a shop with 16 vehicle bays at the site of the former Longhorn Burger Stop at U.S. 2 and Hayford Road in Airway Heights.


Company founder Duane Alton says he recently bought the building and the nine acres from the owners of the former restaurant, which closed in 1996.


Alton says he plans to break ground on the $1.4 million automotive-center project within the next 60 days.


I am going to tear down the old building and build a new tire store, says Alton. Its going to have state of-the-art auto service. It will also have a large showroom.


Alton says he will hire 12 to 16 employees for the new outlet, but hasnt selected a manager for the store yet.


He also declines to say who is designing the outlet or who will construct it.


We hope to have it open by the 1st of September or the 1st of October, he says.


Alton says Airway Heights is a good market for the company.


Weve looked at Airway Heights for the last two or three years, says Alton. We thought we should step up and take advantage of this opportunity.


Sam Campbell, owner of the Campbell Co., of Spokane, brokered the property sale. Campbell says the property had been on the market for nearly three years, and that Longhorn had been using it to store restaurant supplies.


Alton currently operates 12 outlets across Eastern Washington and North Idaho.