Photo Gallery | Full-service gas station closes, manager partially blames bike lanes
The full-service gas station that sits on the corner of Madison Avenue and Belvedere Boulevard has closed. Midtown Service & Tire owner manger said he is looking to move business elsewhere, because the demand for his services went down after the bike lanes were installed.
The 44-year-old business provided gasoline, air, and flat tire repairs. Attached to the gas station was a repair shop called Midtown Euro that serviced vehicles. The service center was a Land Rover certified service center boasting ASE technicians with over 30 years experience.
"The demand for gasoline in the Midtown area decreased. The car repair shop ran well, but the gas station suffered," said Midtown Euro and Midtown Service & Tire manager Greg Getman.
Getman said gasoline profits declined when the Madison Avenue bike lanes were installed.
According to the City of Memphis Bike and Pedestrian coordinator, there has actually been a slight increase in traffic in the past year since the bike lanes were implemented.
Kyle Wagenschutz said his department keeps a close eye on automobile traffic count after bike lane installations.
"There's been no shortage of business [since opening the bike lanes]," said Wagenschutz explaining the growing Madison Avenue and Overton Square. "The city is working with the Madison Merchant association, and they have requested recently that businesses along Madison have bike racks to accommodate these new customers."
The city will be installing bike racks that provide up to 40 parking spots for bicycles.
Another business is taking advantage of the open spot at 1675 Madison. The former full-service station's space will not be vacant for long.
Getman said that the former property owner sold the business to a new owner who owns several gas stations in the Memphis area. The new property owner is choosing to renovate the current property, and operate another convenience store and gas station.
The Shelby County Assessors website shows the building was built in 1969 on nearly six-tenths of an acre.
Getman is looking to find a new location for his car repair business outside of the Midtown area altogether. He is interested in the Shelby County or Fayette County areas outside of city limits.
Wagenschutz said every business is important to his department, and the Mayor's Innovation Delivery Team. The delivery, especially, is dedicated to helping local business succeed on streets with or without bike lanes.
