Dozens of customers are without their tires and rims after a tire shop in Thornhill went out of business.
CTV News Toronto reported earlier this month that Tire Depot and Auto Services suddenly shuttered its doors, with several customers saying their summer tires were locked inside.
The tire shop, located at 34 Doncaster Ave., had been in business for more than 20 years before an ‘Out of Business’ sign was put on their door.
“It’s been around forever, you store your tires in the winter and pick them up in the summer and showing up today, they are out of business,” Terry Riyasat, a customer, had previously told CTV News.
This week, York Regional Police and security had to control traffic outside of the shop as customers lined up in hopes of recovering their tires and rims. As many as two-thirds of those items may be missing, meaning some customers will be left on the hook to pay for replacements.
“People were quite angry, especially if they were told their tires weren’t there and some people were incredulous that this could happen,” Elliot Goldstein told CTV News.
Goldstein, who works as a lawyer, has three sets of tires in the shop for him and his family. He said he waited for hours to see if he could get them back.
“We did get back one set of tires, the other two sets are missing and no one seems to know where they are,” Goldstein said.
The bailiff overseeing the case told CTV News about 70 customers showed up to the store hoping to get their tires and rims, but only one third of customers were able to pick them up. The rest remain missing.
Betty Niznik, of Thornhill, also had her tires and rims stored at Tire Depot and Auto Services. She also didn’t get them back.
“This just came out of nowhere and I’m very upset at this point in time,” said Niznik. “My tires are on the original rims, which are going to be quite a bit of money to replace.”
According to the bailiff overseeing the case, about 70 customers showed up to the store hoping to get their tires and rims back, but only a third had them returned.
Many of the tires were stored offsite, but it is unclear where. The landlord is still trying to contact the former owner of the business, and some customers are concerned their property may have been sold.
“If people hear about great deals on tires, be very careful because if you buy tires that are stolen, you’re in possession of stolen property,” Goldstein said.
Those impacted by what happened have been advised to file a police report. Some customers say they are reaching out to their insurance company to see if they are covered.
Niznik and Goldstein say they are staying hopeful their tires and rims could be found, though the loss comes at a time when many drivers are swapping out their winter tires.
