Claremont's Newest

Newest bikeshop that is.

So David and Sean, perhaps against better judgement, decided to open the doors to their new shop at the Packing House. They were both busy doing other things when I stood up against the glass doors, like some little kid looking in the window of a toystore, just long enough to grab their attention. A few moments later and I wandered in. The visit was unplanned, or at least, I had not let either of them in on the plans that I had made, but David guessed who I was and the ice was broken. I got to take a few "in progress" photos and talked a bit about their bike shop plans for the near future. Most of those plans I don't really want to mention because, well, because those plans are theirs, and they will come about as they see fit, and/or, are able over the course of time. I will throw out a few, though, because they are either 1. obvious, or 2. so general as to leave things up to your imagination: 

Full service bike shop, including what I (and they) believe is the only local Linus dealership outside of LA. Linus is a well-regarded, well-built bike, especially noted for the commuter models. They also put out some good looking and functional accessories. 

Club house.

Community outreach and involvement.

DIY venture. No loans or anything to get off the ground. These guys are doing it all themselves.

Used bikes? Since I have known the city's used bike dealer for a goodly number of years, I had to ask about the used bikes and frames they had around the shop. Each of them is from the collection of one owner or the other, non-sale, filler bikes. After all, what is a bike shop without bikes? When they eventually get the shop filled out with Linus's and Rocky Mountains, and what ever other brands they bring in, I hope some of those older frames still hang around. Just for appearance sake.

Sean and David had just finished putting together the first two Linus bikes, while boxes for another ten or so remained unopened. The first thing you may notice upon entering the shop is the one, brightly colored wall - it is opposite those high-up clerestory windows, catching all that light that comes in from them. Or, maybe you will notice the open ceiling first, allowing all that light to come in.

If you show up for the grand opening, on the 19th, pay attention to some of the details - David does metal (steelwork) and the two of them designed and built all the furnishings in the shop, from the display case to the funky log coffee table. I asked if that ability has ever carried over into bike-building? Not yet, but on his mind if, and when, between family life and new business, he can ever find the time. While David is relatively new to the bike biz, Sean is the mechanic whiz - if you ever brought a bike to Incycle for repairs or maintenance, you may recognize him from the work pit of that shop.

There are many challenges to be met and overcome when starting a new business, but they seem to have a plan that will give them some flexibility to grow, while avoiding conflict with longer established bike businesses in the city, and locally. I hope to make it by for the grand opening, to see how it all turns out, they still have much to do in the next week. Maybe I will see you there.

That, for now, is the something that is going on.






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