COMMUNITY
 Xavier Curtis and his father, Mason. |
February 2005
(Read the previous stories in the series.)
Curtis Tire and Auto Center in Lexington Park is a minority owned and operated business that’s been in business for more than 40 years.
Mason and the late Betty L. Curtis got into the tire business in the early 1960s. Mason had been commuting back and forth to his job in Washington, D.C., when he decided the lengthy commute was too much: the time had come to get a local job.
Mason started out selling recapped tires and did minor work on just about anything and everything to provide for his family. When the company he worked for was sold, Mason continued on as manager: when the company went up for sale again, Curtis decided to buy it himself.
He had his own business now, but he didn’t like the idea of paying rent on the building.
The answer to his dilemma was slow in coming, but it did come, due in no small part to his helpful personality.
Mason had been helping out a local welder named Charlie Catron located across the street from his business, never charging him a cent. This went on for about 15 years. Finally, the day came when Charlie was ready to retire; he sold his building to Mason. This building remains the location for Curtis Tire and Auto Center today.
Mason operated as a one-man shop until 1991, when he turned the business over to his son, Xavier. Xavier still owns and manages the shop, and has seven full-time employees. In addition, his wife, Phyllis, helps with the bookkeeping and his daughters, Latisha and Kendra, help out on Saturdays-just as Xavier and his brother, Herman, had helped their father out on weekends when they were young men. (Herman still works there part-time.)
A host of other relatives also lent their support to the business.
 Curtis Tire and Auto Center, as viewed from Great Mills Road. |
The company that started out fixing and replacing tires does just about everything. Minor or extensive engine repairs, transmission overhauls-the sky’s the limit. And their five mechanics receive regular certifications to keep their skills up-to-date with new techniques and technologies required to work on today’s vehicles.
Xavier plans to expand Curtis Tire and Auto Center in the near future to provide his customers, both current and future, with advanced exhaust-related services.
“Providing personal service to our customers is why we’re here,” Xavier says. “It’s what we’re all about.”
How can you find Curtis Tire and Auto Center? Just follow Route 235 South into Lexington Park, then turn right onto Great Mills Road. Curtis Tire and Auto Center will be about a mile and a half on the right.
Xavier and his father appreciate the community for their continued support.