PORTLAND (AP) — A landmark Portland tire company is closing its doors after nearly nine decades in business.

Century Tire is scheduled to close Friday after 88 years.

Owner Dick Aronson said his Kennebec Street shop is the oldest family-owned tire company in New England.

The 78-year-old Aronson got into the business in 1961 and bought the company once known as Deering Tire Co. from his father-in-law in 1976.

He told the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/NBY2nX ) small, family-owned dealers struggle to compete against national chains.

Plus, Century Tire’s location in the Bayside neighborhood makes the land more valuable than the business itself. He has already sold the property to a developer.

His three grown sons have careers and are not interested in the business.

He said he’ll miss his regular customers the most.