Founded in 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pep Boys is a leading American automotive aftermarket service chain. The company was established by four friends—Emanuel “Manny” Rosenfeld, Maurice “Moe” Strauss, W. Graham “Jack” Jackson, and Moe Radavitz—who pooled $200 each to open a single auto parts store named Pep Auto Supply Company. The name "Pep Boys" was inspired by a local policeman's referral to the store as "the boys at Pep" when advising drivers to replace their oil wicks .