Interesting points. I'm not sure the income...

2009-06-25T13:15:18.630-05:00

Interesting points.

I'm not sure the income differences explain everything. There are still lots of cars in Hyde Park. That suggests to me that there are enough cars to warrant some tire service station right in Hyde Park.

I agree that there are plenty of people around here who you'd expect to see jump at an auto maintenance job. I suggested that option because I am still confused about why there isn't a tire store here.

Do you (or does anyone) know if Autozone or O'Reilly has someone -- i.e., the "tire professional" mentioned on the fix-a-flat can -- to repair a flat tire (not just order a new one)? The tire is fine -- it just needs to be patched.

It doesn't matter if there are better transit ...

2009-06-25T12:52:58.719-05:00

It doesn't matter if there are better transit options on the north side. There are more cars because there is a greater proportion of the population who is affluent enough to own one and drive one on a regular basis. (Not to mention fix one.) Also, labor costs are less on the south side. Hyde Park is actually NOT all U of C kids with a college degree or better... plenty of people in HP/Kenwood/Oaklawn/Woodlawn who would jump at an auto store/auto maintenance job.

Also, your search terms affected your results here: O'Reilly Murray auto parts store on 47th/Cottage would probably sell tires. A quick search says they'll at least order them per your specifications, which means you take public transit for a few days at worst. There's also an Autozone at 64th and King Drive, which is not quite in HP/Kenwood but Woodlawn is a hop on the bus away. And there's another Autozone on 76th and Stony Island if you're really THAT sketched out by Woodlawn.

Comments on This Young Economist: Why are there no tire stores in Hyde Park?

Interesting points. I'm not sure the income...

It doesn't matter if there are better transit ...