HISTORY OF CAHILL TIRE

Cahill Tire is a family owned business that was started by Skip Cahill’s Dad, Charlie, in 1938. The business started out as a service station only.

Skip started pumping gas when he was just 14 years old. After Skip graduated high school and trade school, being mechanically inclined, he began work for his Dad, Charlie, repairing cars, oil changes, mufflers and other repairs some big and some small. Skip had a vision to build the tire business. After a few years of building the tire business car repairs were phased out. He couldn’t wait to get his first power tire changer. He has worn out many since then.

Skip started building the tire business on retreads. His theory is to “have it in stock at a fair price and it will sell.” Having the tires in stock was much easier in the “old days” when there were not so many different sizes, maybe 10 or so. Almost every car has it’s own tire size these days. Skip still keeps to his “having it in stock theory”. If he doesn’t have your tire size today, which is unusual, he can usually have it within 4 hours. Skip has mostly built his business on “word of mouth” and repeat business. He prides himself on quoting a fair price that includes mounting, balancing, value stems and a free tire rotation for the life of the tires. There are no hidden fees at Cahill Tire Inc.

4th OF JULY PARADE: 2008

Skip’s family and crew surprised and honored him with a float in the 2008 4th of July parade in Bath, Maine celebrating 70 years in business.

It was pretty special to see his face and hear him say “what’s this?” as the Cahill Tire Float appeared at the top of Center Street Hill by the courthouse. Everyone on the float knew where we sit to watch the parade and they we all looking for him.

As Brandon jumped up on the wall to give Skip shirts for us, a friend asked Brandon, “...where are you going?” Brandon replied “to give Skip a shirt.” His friend replied “Skip is on the float!” Skip’s brother, Brad, who looks a whole lot like Skip and was wearing Skip’s work uniform form and was waving to everybody from the float. Brad looks so much like Skip that Skip had a hard time convincing his customers that he truly was watching and was also surprised and not on the float.

It was a tough challenge for all of us to keep the surprise a secret. Skip is quite inquisitive. It was such an honor to Skip and came not only with much support from the community but also a 1st place award from the parade committee. It was a memorable event at the least.