Beset by the rise of e-commerce and profound shifts in consumer behavior, A&A Auto Parts announced Friday it is closing nine of its 10 retail locations in Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond, and now will focus on the sole remaining flagship retail store and wholesale operations.
The company, founded in 1958 in Moosic, Lackawanna County, by Joe Amato Sr. and his son, legendary drag racer Joe Amato Jr., is a subsidiary of Keystone Automotive Operations in Exeter, Luzerne County.
A&A will continue to operate its now-flagship store at 1575 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, and also wholesale operations, the company said in a press release.
The store closures involve the following locations:
Lackawanna County: Moosic, Scranton and the Peckville section of Blakely.
Luzerne County: Hazleton and Dallas.
Lehigh County: Allentown.
Wayne County: Honesdale.
Columbia County: Bloomsburg.
Snyder County: Selinsgrove.
This decision reflects ongoing challenges the business faced in an increasingly competitive retail environment that has included the rise of e-commerce, shifts in consumer behavior and broader economic pressures, according to a news release issued by Bob Reedy, director of sales at Keystone Automotive Operations.
“We’re committed to continuing our legacy in Exeter. Though the decision to close these locations is difficult, we’ll continue to provide high-quality auto parts and expert garage service in Exeter, where our team is ready to meet all your automotive needs,” the news release said.
The announcement of store closures expressed thanks to employees and customers and a focus going forward on the wholesale part of the business.
“We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers, dedicated employees and trusted supplier-partners. This decision was not easy, but we remain focused on serving our community in Exeter and growing our wholesale business,” the statement said.
The company was founded 67 years ago by Joe Amato Sr. and his son, Joe Jr.
“Our company history begins with the dreams of Joe Amato Sr. and his son, Joe Jr., opening the first retail store at our A&A Auto Moosic location in 1958,” according to the A&A Auto Stores website.
Joe Amato Sr. opened that first store with a $5,000 investment and Joe Amato Jr. worked there at a young age, according to archives of The Times-Tribune.
Joe Jr. was just 16 years old when he dropped out of high school to run his family’s business after his father got sick. His father never fully recovered and died four years later. The son went on to develop an expanding business that had grown to multiple stores while simultaneously pursuing a legendary drag racing career.
He won the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Fuel championship five times and scored 52 event victories, and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Joe Amato was honored at Keystone Automotive Operations’ legacy celebration at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Texas that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the company that he started. Photo taken in March of 2022. (FILE PHOTO / SUBMITTED)
In 1971, the Amato family business transitioned into Keystone Automotive Operations, which expanded rapidly in all areas of inventory, distribution and customer service. Its 800,000-square-foot warehouse in Exeter opened in 1988.
Amato sold the business in 1998.
Reached by phone Thursday about A&A store closures, Amato said he was not directly involved and deferred questions to Keystone Automotive Operations.
Staff Writer Robert Tomkavage contributed to this report.