Grant's Appliances In Joliet Finds New Owner: Photos

JOLIET, IL — The Grant's Appliances store at 321 Republic Ave. sold tens of thousands of appliances, but the legendary Joliet retail chain abruptly closed in 2014 after 90 years of business. The building where Grant's operated remained vacant the past seven years, but not anymore, thanks to Pomp's Tire Service.

Pomp's, founded in 1939 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, recently acquired the empty appliance store that closed in October 2014. The former Grant's Appliances is now filled with 50,000 new tires including Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear and Hankook.

That's correct, 50,000 tires, mostly for passenger cars and light trucks.

"We have 50,000 tires, and we can hold up to 80,000," remarked Ed Hartnett, store manager for the new Joliet Pomp's Tire Service.

Pomp's is now running about 30 delivery trucks a day, bringing shipments of new tires throughout Illinois as well as to Michigan City, Indiana and into parts of Wisconsin.

"We deliver pretty much the whole state of Illinois," Hartnett said.

According to its website, Pomp’s Tire Service began in 1939when Andrew “Sparky” Pomprowitz opened a warehouse, passenger, and commercial wholesale operation in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Sparky died in 1964. Since 1965, Pomp's Tire has grown to more than 120 locations in 11 states, 18 retread plants, one wheel manufacturing facility, and three original equipment manufacturing facilities. Pomp's Tire now employs nearly 2,100 people.

The former Grant's Appliances store in Joliet consists of 88,000 square feet, Hartnett said.

Pomp's acquired the property at 321 Republic Ave. and began moving into the location about six weeks ago.

"It was completely empty," he said. "This is just a distribution center. We don't have a retail store in Joliet."

Before expanding into Joliet's west side, Pomp's had been storing tires at its industrial park location in Channahon, which is near Interstate 55 and along the frontage road.

Hartnett said the new location in Joliet provides Pomp's Tire Service with a "central Joliet location." The family-owned business has been around for more than 80 years and operates in 11 states.

"We do a lot of business in Joliet," Hartnett said during Monday's interview in Joliet.

At the moment, the new Joliet location has 27 employees, but Hartnett wants to spread the word that he has a number of positions available.

"We're still hiring for multiple positions, customer service representatives and delivery drivers," he said.

People interested in working for Pomp's Tire Service in Joliet are encouraged to apply in person at 321 Republic Ave., he said.

The new Joliet location is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Hartnett said that Pomp's is hoping to remain at the Republic Avenue building for many years to come. He's directly across the street from the Jody's Hot Dogs restaurant.

Patch asked Hartnett how things are working out since his company moved to Joliet late this summer.

"So far, so good," he said.

As thousands of people across Joliet can remember, Grant's became one of Joliet's most well-known retail destinations over the span of many decades.

Is it possible that Pomp's will remain a fixture on Republic Avenue for decades to come?

"I would assume so," Hartnett said. "I think we'll definitely be here for a while."