{"id":163817,"date":"2026-02-04T17:46:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/163817\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T17:46:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:46:08","slug":"at-dons-tire-service-they-keep-the-cars-and-the-laughs-rolling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/163817\/","title":{"rendered":"At Don’s Tire Service they keep the cars \u2014 and the laughs \u2014rolling"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cSorry, yesterday was the deadline for complaints.\u201d<\/p>\n

So reads the sign behind Angela Frizzi\u2019s front desk at Don\u2019s Tire Service<\/a>. The cheeky wall placard is part of a collection amassed over Angela\u2019s decade-plus behind the wheel of the beloved Gilman District<\/a> tire and service center. And it hints at the wry wit that\u2019s made Don\u2019s a Berkeley customer favorite for more than 60 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The tradition originates with Angela\u2019s father, wise-cracking Don. Originally from Pennsylvania, Don fell in love with California and its temperate climate while stationed at Mare Island in Vallejo as a Navy mechanic. After learning the tire business from their Uncle Angelo back east, Don and his brother Frank moved to Richmond and opened Frank\u2019s Tire Shop in Berkeley in 1964.<\/p>\n

\"\"Don\u2019s Tire Service on Gilman in Berkeley has been in the family for three generations now. Credit: Kelly Sullivan<\/p>\n

The business quickly took off. Don and Frank prided themselves on getting the best prices on tires, buying in bulk to beat competitors\u2019 prices, even on name brands. The pair expanded with additional shops in Richmond and Oakland, which allowed for even bigger volume discounts. But Don was always most committed to the Berkeley location. He appreciated routine, including his daily breakfast at Gilman Grill (sadly closed<\/a> in 2024) and the banter with his loyal Berkeley customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily was always No. 1 to him,\u201d Angela said. \u201cHe was funny as [expletive], and wanted to make people laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Arshawn Hopkins removes a car wheel at Don\u2019s Tire Service in Berkeley. Credit: Kelly Sullivan<\/p>\n

By 1993, Don and his wife, Linda, a former banker with Wells Fargo, were working on a plan to buy out Don\u2019s brother and take over the Berkeley shop at 820 Gilman St. Linda became a 51% owner, making them more attractive as a vendor for the City of Berkeley<\/a>, which sought to work with more women-owned businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They renamed the shop Don\u2019s, and the business became a family affair. Don and Linda made great business partners, and they taught their kids, Greg and Angela, everything they needed to know about cars. \u201cI was only, like, 8 or 10 when I learned to change a tire alongside my dad,\u201d Angela recalled.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even though Angela loved art growing up and dreamed of one day working in special ed or opening her own daycare, she always helped the family with bookkeeping, payroll, inventory and \u201cwhatever else was needed.\u201d When her dad died, Angela stepped up as CEO, and brought on Denise Pene, the wife of the shop\u2019s repairman Rick Hart, as her assistant. Five years later Denise was promoted to general manager. It never mattered that she was a woman in the male-dominated field, Angela said. She knew the inventory and mechanical language better than anyone else, and fit in with the crew like family.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"The team at Don\u2019s Tires includes, kneeling in front, Arshawn Hopkins\u00a0and Luis Molina. Standing, from left are: Ruben Alvarez, Ryan Nelson,
Jose Velasquez\u00a0, Von Williams, Austin Gamble, Gonzo Calderon\u00a0and Jerome Hicks. Credit: Kelly Sullivan<\/p>\n

Today, the duo can almost always be found at the front desk, cracking jokes with their staff and customers. (On Yelp, 67 reviews mention \u201cfriendly\u201d; 14 mention \u201cfunny.\u201d) On one recent weekday morning, in between phone calls from customers, the pair were planning out their spray tan sessions ahead of a meet-up with the Independent Tire Dealers Group, or ITDG, in Cabo San Lucas. \u201cWe gotta look gooood,\u201d she quipped.<\/p>\n

ITDG bundles the buying power of its 1500-plus members to get significant volume discounts, Angela explained, which helps Don\u2019s keep prices competitive with the big dogs. The shop offers a wide range of tires at different prices, as well as many under-car repairs. Don\u2019s will also come to customers, with mobile tire repair and installation.<\/p>\n

Some of Don\u2019s biggest champions are its women customers. Being women-owned with a strong female presence up front, Don\u2019s offers a welcome alternative to the boys\u2019 club atmosphere of most tire and mechanic shops. \u201cWomen come here because they won\u2019t feel like they get taken advantage of,\u201d Angela said. \u201cThey appreciate that there\u2019s women here at the front. They know we\u2019re going to listen and that their issues are going to get addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Barry the Dog helps out regularly at the front counter of Don\u2019s Tire Service in Berkeley. At right is Angela Frizzi. Credit: Kelly Sullivan<\/p>\n

Joining Angela and Denise up front most days are Angela\u2019s sons, Trevor and Caleb, her nephew Angelo, and Caleb\u2019s girlfriend, Josephine (\u201cJo-Jo\u201d). Even Angela\u2019s \u201cgranddog\u201d frequently makes an appearance. Meanwhile, Angela\u2019s sign collection continues to grow, offering irreverent witticisms like, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be crazy to work here. We will train you!\u201d, and, \u201cMy level of sarcasm depends on your level of stupidity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking into Don\u2019s feels a lot like going back in time to a small town where the staff are affable and customer-oriented, and the experience is about more than just tire rotation or repair. When asked if she would ever sell the shop, Angela was quick to respond: \u201cNever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf dad was still here, I know he would just be in awe to see his whole family working together and being able to provide a good living,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with being a blue collar worker. Some people kind of frown upon it, but this is exactly what he would have wanted to see for his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

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