Lee's Auto & Tire: Honest, Dependable Service You Can Count On

Lee's Tire

4316 S. Irby St, Forence 843.702.0105

John Lee, owner

Honest, Dependable Service You Can Count On

story by Linda Lewis

Amazing customer service plus superior work is the reputation Lee’s Tire and Auto has earned during its first year of business. This father-son duo offers domestic and foreign car repair and maintenance, including tires, rims, bed liners, lifts, AC service, and so much more. Familyowned and operated, John and his son Colby are building relationships and trust with customers throughout the Pee Dee, one automobile at a time. John’s curiosity about automotive mechanics began as a child. “I use to take my toys apart just to see what made them tick,” he said. In high school, John took an automotive class encouraging his appreciation of automobiles. As his interest grew, so did his need to become more educated in the car industry. John later took an auto tech class at the career center which helped him land his first job at a Buick dealership where he did entry-level maintenance on vehicles. In 1989, John accepted a job with Tire & Muffler in Florence, South Carolina, as a technician. During his automotive career, John has worked for and learned from several well-known and finely operated mechanic shops that helped guide him to opening his own shop. As John was toying with the idea of opening a mechanic shop, he mentioned the idea to his son, Colby. Colby, without hesitation, told his dad that if he were to do that, he would quit his job to join the family business. On June 1st, 2021, John and Colby opened up Lee’s Tire & Auto at 4316 South Irby Street in Florence, just two miles south of South Florence High School. John and Colby have many achievements to celebrate for their first anniversary. The duo is also looking forward to celebrating the addition of another family member joining the team. John’s eldest son, Austin, will be moving home from Austin, Texas, to join them this month! While John, Colby, and Austin are capable of servicing almost any automobile that’s brought into their shop, they have a passion for four-wheel-drive vehicles, especially Jeeps. “That goes back to my first vehicle,” explains John. “A jeep, that of course, I had to work on all of the time.” “It’s been surreal to think that within a year, we’ve come as far as we have,” says John. “We had a tremendous first year and can only hope to grow from there in 2022. Working with Colby has been one of the best experiences any father could ask for. He is a delight and makes me proud every day to call him my son. I am ecstatic to think I get to double my pleasure when Austin joins us this month.” If you require car services, stop by Lee’s Tire & Auto for exceptional service and a pleasant conversation. John and Colby would like to thank the community for all of the support and love shown by friends and customers over the last year. “If it wasn’t for y’all, we couldn’t have made it this far!”

John has been married to his wife, Amy, for 30 years. They have two sons, Austin, 29, and Colby, 28. Colby and his wife, Emily, have been married for two years and have the most wonderful addition to the family, grandson Asher.