Rockland & Rockport Auto Repair

ROCKLAND — Eastern Tire & Auto Service, Inc. is a supporter of the Rockland Harbor YMCA, branch of the Penobscot Bay YMCA. The Rockland Harbor YMCA is expected to open Dec. 1 at 12 Water St. in the former Almalfi Restaurant space. At left, Alvin Chase of Eastern Tire Service shakes hands with Troy Curtis, Penobscot Bay YMCA executive director

Usually man's best friend plays the role of greeter at home, but at Eastern Tire & Auto Service in Rockland customers get a special welcome from a well-known black Lab named Filson. "People don't care about me, they care about Filson," said co-owner Alvin Chase Jr. "I'm spoiled," said Chase explaining that he has always had Labs as pets. When he lost two old-timers (14 and 15 years old) within weeks of each other a couple years ago, Chase said he waited a year before getting 17-month-old Filson. "He's an important part of the family," said Chase, who appreciates his flexibility in his job to be able to bring his sidekick to work every day. Chase said customers stop by and take Filson for walks or enjoy a visit with him while their car repair is being done. Chase has run Eastern Tire on Park Street in Rockland since 1989, when he came home from college to help his father for a few months while he dealt with some health issues. East ... read more

Eastern Tire & Auto Service has been voted Knox County Best of the Best in Auto Repair