Atlanta Tire Shop Offers Youth Learning Opportunities This Summer

The goal is to keep young people off the streets and away from violence.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a single car tire in vibrant neon shades, conceptually representing an automotive-focused community program for youth.A tire shop's summer youth program aims to provide valuable automotive skills and a positive outlet for local teens.Atlanta Today

An Atlanta tire shop owner, Johnny Bailey, has agreed to provide learning opportunities for local youth this summer at his shop, Wheels & Tires by Bailey. The idea was proposed by a community activist, and Bailey is eager to teach young people car-related skills like changing tires, working on air conditioning and heating systems, and other automotive basics. Bailey hopes this will be a way to positively impact the community and give teens an alternative to street violence, which has been an issue in Atlanta recently.

Why it matters

With rising youth violence in Atlanta, including a recent deadly incident at Piedmont Park, this tire shop program offers a constructive way to engage young people and provide them with valuable skills and a safe space this summer. By opening his doors to the community, Bailey hopes to make a difference and inspire other local businesses to get involved.

The details

For nearly 30 years, Wheels & Tires by Bailey has operated in Atlanta's West End neighborhood. When a community activist approached Bailey with the idea to bring young people into the shop this summer to teach them automotive skills, Bailey enthusiastically agreed. The plan is for Bailey to instruct teens on tasks like changing tires, working on air conditioning and heating systems, and other car-related knowledge. Bailey sees this as an opportunity to positively impact local youth and give them an alternative to street life and violence.

  • Bailey has owned Wheels & Tires by Bailey for nearly 30 years.
  • The youth learning program is planned for this upcoming summer.

The players

Johnny Bailey

The owner of Wheels & Tires by Bailey, a tire shop in Atlanta's West End neighborhood that has been in business for nearly 30 years.

Wheels & Tires by Bailey

An Atlanta tire shop located in the West End neighborhood that has been in operation for nearly 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“'He asked me if he brings people in here, would I teach them how to do things and I told him, 'Yes, I'll be more than happy to do it.'”

— Johnny Bailey, Owner, Wheels & Tires by Bailey

“'I think it's a very good idea because we need to take these kids off the streets. It's so much going on nowadays that somebody got to make a change and I'm here to help make that change.'”

— Johnny Bailey, Owner, Wheels & Tires by Bailey

What’s next

Bailey said the youth learning program is still in the early planning stages, but his 'door is always open' for young people interested in participating.

The takeaway

This tire shop program represents a grassroots effort by a local business owner to positively impact his community and provide constructive opportunities for youth amid rising concerns over violence. By opening his shop to teach valuable automotive skills, Bailey hopes to give local teens an alternative to street life and inspire other businesses to get involved in similar community-focused initiatives.