O'Brien Tire & Auto Care

07/06/2026

Don't let a dead battery stall your summer plans!

06/29/2026

Tire safety isn’t something you think about when you get into your car everyday to go to work, run errands, take the kiddos to soccer.

That’s our job! 120 years of keeping our customers safe… it’s what we do every time we see your vehicle! Let us be your trusted one-stop shop for ALL your car care!!

Obrientire.com - much more than a tire store!

06/28/2026

“Stand Tall” and “These Eyes” will be playing in my head all day now! Brings back ol’ times!

06/26/2026

Scott and Beth, represented Illinois in the Route 66 Centennial Caravan of 30 plus vehicles in June. They have undertaken an extraordinary four-week journey traversing Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. Covering 5,500 miles in their truck camper, the caravan highlighted towns revitalizing and thriving due to collective efforts. The caravan showcased transformations achieved through coordinated city administration, citizen support, grants, beautification initiatives, small business opportunities, economic investments, and effective governance. Each town tackles its unique challenges incrementally. They saw first-hand how the decommissioning of Route 66 had a devastating impact on local businesses. Success stories occurred when citizens contributed by engaging with local authorities, prioritized projects, and offered support. Collective efforts always led to a better outcome. Granite City is experiencing a resurgence as well, thanks to city hall initiatives, Great Rivers & Routes tourism association, federal/state grants, and a passionate and caring community.

The Big Texan Steak challenge was a big success with a full slate of 8 contestants, a long lineup of classic cars, and the best turnout of local folk seen in all 20 cities!

06/26/2026

“Revitalize or Die” has food for thought on the economics of supporting local small businesses

Last year a city councilwoman in Iowa emailed me about a proposed McDonald's in her community. She wanted justification to oppose it. There are plenty, and the ugliness and the unhealthy food aren't even close to the worst reasons.

Here's the math. The average McDonald's runs twenty years and does about three million in annual sales. At least half of that leaves town. Over twenty years, thirty million dollars gets extracted from one community. The buildout costs maybe two and a half million. So the community has traded a two and a half million dollar investment for thirty million in lost wealth.

I am no economist, but that doesn't sound like a good deal.

People will always argue for chains because they are familiar, because inertia is easier than change. But national chains are Wall Street economic development, not Main Street. Their entire business model is to enrich someone far away while draining your town. Think of it like mining equipment, the investment looks shiny, but its whole purpose is to extract wealth over time.

Now imagine redirecting even ten percent of what McDonald's will cost your community into local entrepreneurs instead. Help a couple of recent graduates renovate a vacant downtown building and actually own something in their hometown. The return over twenty years, in payroll, local supplier spending, property taxes, and economic spillover, could represent a fifty million dollar swing compared to the chain alternative.

If people in your town want a burger, don't hand that opportunity to distant shareholders. Help a local own it instead. Parasites don't feed the host. Locals build a future.

06/25/2026

There is nothing better than serving our customers. Thank YOU for choosing us!

06/23/2026

And another giant by the kid playground next to the library! Granite rivals the American Giants Museum in Atlanta?

06/23/2026

72oz steak is no bull for competitive eater “The Hammer” Monday at Its Electric Neon Sign Park

‘A lotta bull’: 72-oz steak challenge draws crowd to Route 66 metro-east stop

06/23/2026

Illinois’ favorite president has come to stay in City of Granite City, IL

06/20/2026

KMOV Steve Harris stops by.

The Route 66 Road Trip finds Steve Harris still in Granite City at the O’Brien Tire shop.