Auto shop brings needed service to Peabody

By ALEXANDER SIMONE

Staff writer

When Kyle Glenn opened Peabody Tire and Automotive, he knew he was offering a much-needed service.

“We didn’t have an auto shop or tires here,” he said. “People had to go to Marion, Hillsboro or Newton.”

The shop gives customers a chance to keep business in their community, and Glenn says his neighbors have pitched in to help him.

“If there’s anything I need, I can just ask within the community and it’s actually happening,” he said. “That’s pretty cool.”

“It’s saving our community from having to drive on a flat tire. It’s more convenient for them to keep their money here and have the service here.”

Much of the work with local customers, which includes the post office, has been getting vehicles caught up so they can be maintained on a regular schedule, Glenn said.

“The amount of work they needed done because of the lack of service here was pretty intense,” he said. “Now they’re on a six-month rotation; that’s a big one.”

Since there is no competition in Peabody, Glenn said he has been busy.

It’s been very nice,” he said. “I opened the doors July 28 and by Aug. 1, I had people scheduling oil changes.”

He services other equipment, from lawn mowers to trailers, and those customers have been grateful he is open.

“Driving to Hillsboro with a hay trailer, it wasn’t feasible,” he said. “They were just oddballing tires. That’s been one of my biggest continuous orders.”

Having a workload to keep busy keeps Glenn energized in the shop, he said.

“I’d say it’s a natural rush, just to see the amount of need for it,” he said. “When I posted that I was going to open the tire shop, the outpour from the community about how much this was needed, it was nice.”