1969   Arthur Taubman steps down as President but remains Chairman of the company. Nick Taubman assumes the role of President. There are 54 Advance stores in four states. 1972   At the annual manager’s meeting at Hotel Roanoke, Nick Taubman announces the plan to transition from a variety store into a specialty auto parts chain. 1973   Advance builds its first freestanding store in Roanoke on 9th Street. 1974   Advance Stores Company changes its name to “Advance Auto.” 1976   Nick Taubman is elected to the Roanoke City Council. He serves two years but decides against running again. 1978   Traditionally closed on Sunday, Advance stores began staying open seven days a week. 1980   The Brambleton store opens in Roanoke as Advance’s first prototype store. 1981   Advance Auto installs its first Point-of-Sale (POS) system, which revolutionizes the way Advance does business by more closely monitoring inventory. 1982   The PDQ (Parts Delivered Quickly) Program rolls out, providing customers access to more than 25,000 automotive parts and accessories. 1984   On November 4, 6.61 inches of rain fell onto an already saturated ground. The deluge destroys Advance’s home office and warehouse.