The Lewiston-based auto service chain VIP is selling its automotive parts business to O'Reilly Automotive Inc.
The sale will convert all 56 VIP stores to O'Reilly stores in a new partnership where VIP maintains its tire and service business out of those locations, according to VIP Marketing Manager Jason Terry.
O'Reilly, one of the country's largest specialty retailers of specialty auto parts, will add more inventory to the parts business that VIP has operated since first opening in Lewiston in 1976.
John Quirk, VIP's president and CEO, said in a press release that the move allows VIP to focus on a growing tire and service business.
Terry said that a majority of the current VIP employees will become O'Reilly employees except for those currently in the company's tire and service business.
VIP has stores in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. As of September, the Springfield, Mo.-based O'Reilly operated 3,896 stores in 39 states.