Owners of Sparta Tire never 'tire' of offering service

FRANKLIN — Like most business owners, Mike Cina and Pat Curley know what it means to work.

“Everybody gets their cars checked out before summer,” says Cina, who along with Curley owns Sparta Discount Tire on Woodport Road in Sparta. “The rest of the year they don’t really think about it, but when they get ready for vacation they want to be sure their car doesn’t break down.”

Expanding into new territoryCina and Curley themselves are going full speed ahead this year. They have just opened a new store in Franklin called Franklin Discount Tire at 1 Route 23 South. The new store was the result of a combination of a dream and an opportunity.

“We had it in the back of our minds to do something like this for a while,” says Cina.

When they came across an old tire shop that had gone out of business, they moved quickly. But there was a lot of work to be done.

Along with Cina and Curley, their wives Maureen and Bridget were instrumental in getting the new location up to snuff.

“It was a collective effort,” says Cina. “Those three more than me.”

Getting into the businessCina first got into the tire business through his father-in-law, Steve Ryan, who along with the late Larry Gorman were the original owners of Sparta Tire since it was founded about 40 years ago.

“My father-in-law brought up the idea of me working here,” says Cina, who had another job at the time. “He made a proposal and I took the opportunity.”

That was in July 2001.
Curley has been working at Sparta Tire since 1992 when he was still attending Sparta High School. For a time he managed Delaware Tire in Dingman’s Ferry, Pa., which was also owned by Ryan and Gorman.

Curley has been managing the Franklin store while Cina handles the Sparta location, at least for now. Cina and Curley bought the business from Ryan and Gorman in May 2007.

“It was a family decision,” says Cina.

Ryan continues to offer advice when needed.

“He has been instrumental in what we have been able to achieve,” says Cina.

Cina and Curley appreciate the flexibility and freedom that business ownership offers them. However, they recognize the trade off that comes with attaching yourself to a business and being a community fixture.

“We try to give as much business as possible to the town, and we will be doing the same in Franklin,” says Cina. “It’s great knowing the people who are coming through the door.”

As far as other Sussex County locations in Sparta Tire’s future, Cina says, “Anything is possible."