does anyone have a pep boys near them?
One just opened in late 2017 near me on the Southington/Plainville line. It replaced an independent auto shop. It only took Southington 22 years to finally get a Pep Boys. Back in 1995 the owners of the Queen Plaza (where AMES was located) proposed to build a Pep Boys in the plaza. Instead they built an Outback Steak House. Nearby Bristol had one that was built from the ground up. It didn't last long and it's been a Harley Davidson Dealership for many many years.
there are a few Pepboys in Albany and Colonie
I don't know any nearby. I think there's one in the former Kmart plaza in Manchester.
We have one in Maine in Auburn. Portsmouth, NH has had one for many years; it's in a former Price Costco.
I don't remember what year they closed, but the one in Meriden, CT on South Broad Street (Route 5) became a Planet Fitness. I think the Planet Fitness opened in 2010 or 2011. I remember seeing a billboard for it when I was driving to Wallingford everyday in October and early November 2010.
There is one on the Berlin Turnpike in Berlin. They just did a remodel of the exterior with their current logos. I guess thats some indication that they are doing fairly well. I believe this one opened in 1998 or 1999 when taco bell opened.