CarQuest of Springfield is closing, but franchisee Rob Wilburn said it wasn’t his decision.
Wilburn said Advance Auto Parts, the parent company, “sent out 200 notices to independent operators like me to close their stores. We’re very disappointed. We had a very profitable business.”
Advance Auto Parts released its third quarter financial statement on Nov. 14 which noted “the company is executing a strategic plan to improve business performance with a focus on core retail improvements.” One of the strategic goals listed for store operations was a “reduction in U.S. asset footprint – closing 523 Advance corporate stores, exiting 204 independent locations and closing four distribution centers.”
Wilburn, who also owns Roberts Automotive, said he became a CarQuest franchisee in 2013 as a way to be able to source all his parts from one vendor. It was initially located on Clocktower Drive, but he relocated CarQuest to 2625 S. MacArthur Boulevard about five years ago after Advance Auto Parts closed its nearby store.
Now he is preparing to wrap up operations by Dec. 31 after Advance Auto Parts denied his request for more time.
“They gave us 30 days notice; we asked for an extension and they said ‘no,’” Wilburn said. “We have $450,000 worth of parts already sitting there, paid for, which we’re now in the process of liquidating. All the parts have to go.”
Wilburn said he plans to list the building with Hurwitz Enterprises for sale or lease.
“They just pulled the plug,” he said.
