A successful Ironton business is moving to a better location.

Keyway Automotive, located at 700 S. First St., will soon relocate to 3119 S. Third St. in the former Carey Tires building.

Owner Thomas Smith said the move was to secure more traffic to the business.

“Our current location is not suitable,” he said. “We need to be in a more open spot.”

Smith said they worked out a deal to purchase the building and preparing for the move, which he expects to be completed by New Year’s Day.

He said the business, a full service center that has been in operation for 15 years, expects to hire three to four more workers to accommodate the increased workload at the new location.

“We need to add jobs in Ironton and this gives us the ability to do that,” he said.

He anticipates a 35 to 40 percent increase in business from the move.

Smith said the ability to make the move came as the result of having a good, loyal customer base.

“They’re going to get a nicer and cleaner facility,” he said.