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“Our family business has been such a labor of love. My dad had a vision and Jesse brought it to life.” ~ Melissa Cecena
Highway 60 Tire & Service has operated in the Ponca City area for over a dozen years, and it has come a long way during that time. Owner Larry Nixon started the business in August of 2012, after years in the construction business and having worked in a tire shop before that.
About a year later, he invited his daughter Melissa and son-in-law Jesse Cecena to move from California to join him in the business. In the short time he’d known Jesse, he felt he was a great fit as someone who was a “people person and a hard worker.” So, his offer was, if he stayed a year and it worked out, they would keep the business open, and he’d give him 49% with them continuing as partners. It worked.
Both Nixon and Jesse agreed that their teamwork brought the business solid success, and it continued to grow. Initially they had a 2,400-square-foot building, with one mechanic working for them and no alignment machine. If they worked on larger trucks, it had to be outside. They needed more space and to own their buildings and land. Nixon also wanted to be sure Jesse and Melissa were set up for the future.
Their move to the current, larger space took time and a bit of patience because they needed the building and two lots at the same time. At one point, they could’ve purchased the building but not the lots. Finally, in a bit of a gambling chess-like move, when they knew the building was likely to be auctioned soon, they bought the two lots and hoped for the best. They got just that.
Since this all happened right before the pandemic hit, other decisions had to be made. Nixon says, “There was no choice but to move forward.”
The two men kept working and servicing customers even during the pandemic and their remodel. In talking about this time, Jesse remembers having a customer call when one of his tractor tires needed repaired, but the farmer had COVID-19. Jesse had him put it in the back of his truck and drive over; the man just stayed in his truck while Jesse got it out, did the repair and put it back. He told him on the phone before he came, he’d just catch up with him in a couple weeks for payment after he was healthy.
This was the kind of service that could be expected from Highway 60 Tire & Service. While other shops were closing due to the pandemic, they were serving existing customers like this gentleman and gaining new customers who were looking for a place to take care of their tire needs.
They closed on the purchase of the new building Feb. 24, 2020, and their remodel began in March. With the help of numerous friends who pitched in painting and with the remodel work, the new space was ready to open May 4, 2020. It was sooner than either man expected.
They now have 13,000 square feet, and their warehouse alone is larger than their previous shop. Nixon remembers when they first walked into the new shop area, and he said to Jesse, “This is more shop than we’ll ever need.”
Within a year, however, they needed another building to house their new alignment machine because there was no room for it with their growth. They now keep nine mechanics busy and could hire another if they found a qualified person ready to work.
At Highway 60 Tire & Service, they pride themselves on quality customer service. Nixon says, “We do it all: lawnmower repair to big grader tires.” In addition, Jesse reminds us they have a 24-hour road service that can be reached through their shop number: 580-762-2332.
Shop hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, and you can find more information about their services and products online: Highway60tire.com.
Larry Nixon and Jesse Cecena have built Highway 60 Tire & Service with solid customer service and quality work. They meet the needs of the community in all areas. If you find yourself needing anything in the area, just ask them. My bet is, they’ll have an answer for you. As Nixon says, “We’re not going anywhere.”
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