Veteran-Owned Palmdale Firestone Marks Decades of Service with Experience, Honesty, and a Can‑Do Attitude
- Richard Sykes

- Jan 9
- 3 min read
PALMDALE, CA — At Palmdale Firestone, longevity isn’t just a statistic — it’s the culture. For DJ, who has worked at the shop since 1997, the years have added up quickly. “I’ve worked here since 1997, which is a long, long time ago,” he said with a laugh. “I’m still here. It’s a life sentence.”

The Palmdale location, opened in 1987, has become a fixture in the community, known for its deep bench of automotive experience. Some of the shop’s mechanics have been turning wrenches longer than many customers have been driving. “One mechanic started wrenching in the ’60s,” DJ said. “Another started in 1985. And my guy in the first bay is coming up on 20 years. There’s a lot of knowledge in this shop — a lot of experience."
Common issues that bring customers in include check‑engine lights, brake noises, suspension problems, and wintertime tire‑pressure concerns.
A Reputation for Solving the Problems Others Can’t
While the shop offers a wide range of services — from tires and alignments to engine diagnostics — DJ says one specialty stands out.
“We do an awful lot of diagnosing,” he explained. “I get a lot of cars that other shops tried to fix and couldn’t. So they end up here. We get headaches, but we get through it.”
That reputation for tackling tough jobs has helped define Palmdale Firestone as more than a typical tire shop. DJ credits the team’s mindset as much as their technical skill.
“It’s our experience, man,” he said. “And not only that — I have mechanics with a can‑do attitude. The willpower they have, combined with the experience and the tools, helps out a lot.”
Palmdale Firestone is both veteran‑owned and family‑owned.
Honesty Rooted in Marine Corps Discipline
Customer reviews frequently highlight the shop’s honesty, reliability, and friendly service. DJ says maintaining that culture took time — and a little influence from his past.
“It used to be I’d have to stay on people and micromanage,” he said. “But through the years, that’s faded away. I’m able to do other things now instead of looking over a mechanic’s shoulder.”

He attributes that shift to lessons learned during his time in the Marine Corps.
“I spent a lot of time asking people why something wasn’t done yet, what was going on, why it shouldn’t be this hard,” he said. “I adapted that mentality from the Marine Corps, and it bled into my shop.”
Palmdale Firestone is both veteran‑owned and family‑owned. The business also operates a second location in Hesperia, run by DJ’s two brothers. That shop opened in the early ’90s and serves customers throughout the High Desert.
Advice for Drivers: Don’t Skip the Basics
When it comes to car maintenance, DJ says one habit matters more than anything else.
“Oil changes are the biggest,” he emphasized. “If you think you might need an oil change, just do it. If you can’t remember the last time you had one, just do it. It won’t hurt to do it too soon — but it will definitely hurt to do it too late.”
Common issues that bring customers in include check‑engine lights, brake noises, suspension problems, and wintertime tire‑pressure concerns. DJ recommends having a mechanic look at anything that feels or sounds unusual — even during a routine oil change.
A Landmark Location With Seven‑Day Service

Palmdale Firestone sits at Palmdale Boulevard and 27th Street East, inside the Bridgestone building known for its large lizard mural — a recognizable landmark for longtime residents.
The shop is open seven days a week!
“Whenever you’re ready, come on in,” DJ said. “We’ve got a good line of tires and a lot of specials going on.”


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