Bud Nielson: Turning Wrenches and Building Community on 3500 South

Bud’s Tire Station: Serving Granger One Tire at a Time

For decades, Loring R. “Bud” Nielson was a familiar face along 3500 South, known not just for his expert tire service but for his friendly, hardworking spirit that helped define the Granger community. Born in Richfield, Utah, in 1928, Bud moved to the Salt Lake Valley in 1954, where he planted both family roots and business ones. Not long after his move, he opened Bud’s Tire Station, first located at 2784 W 3500 South, and later operating at 3201 W 3500 South.

Though for a time the shop was known as Bud & Mike’s Tire Shop, referencing his son and business partner Michael Nielson, most locals simply called it Bud’s Tires—a place where you could count on fast, honest service and a neighborly handshake.

In the mid-20th century, 3500 South was transforming from farmland into a thriving commercial corridor. Bud’s shop was one of the early anchors, helping neighbors stay on the road with reliable tire repair, replacement, and advice. His clientele included generations of Granger and West Valley City residents, many of whom returned for decades, knowing they could trust Bud's word and work.

Outside the shop, Bud was a family man who loved camping, traveling, fishing, hunting, and building boats. He shared these passions with his children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren—leaving a legacy both at home and in the community.

Bud passed away in 2011 at the age of 82, but his impact lingers like the scent of fresh rubber and oil that once filled his shop. The name "Bud’s Tires" is still fondly remembered by those who lived and worked in the heart of Granger during its mid-century heyday.

Bud's Tire Shop had 2 different locations.

In the 60's they were at 2784 West 3500 So

In the 70's they were at 3201 W 3500 So

For decades, Bud Nielson served the Granger community with honesty, hard work, and a steady hand at the tire shop. Whether it was under the name Bud’s Tire or Bud & Mike’s, his was a place where neighbors knew they’d be treated fairly and with a smile. More than just fixing flats and rotating tires, Bud built trust—and that’s what kept folks coming back year after year. His legacy lives on in the memories of those he helped, the friendships he built, and the small, steady ways he helped keep this community moving forward.