Last week we had a great time at Al's Bar discussing what a community bike shop in Lexington might look like. There was a lot of ideas being thrown out with lots of potential to back them up. My presence there was more about how it can offer cycling as transportation to those who don't know it or can't afford it. My hope is to partner with something like this in the future.
For now, it looks like the general idea is twofold. They would like to sell bikes and bike gear for under $200 and they would like to serve the community through cycling. I have no passion for retail. Although, I agree that a sub $200 offering is a better price than anyone would find anywhere else. I'm more inclined to get excited about a bike consignment shop than a retail store. Either way, I've got less interest in that side of the discussion.
But a centralized location that does offer bicycle maintenance, training and even free bikes to those that need it would be really cool. The program I'm working with now does a stellar job getting bikes out. But we do have callbacks when guys get flat tires or even major mechanical failure. I'd love to have a place near them. We could easily hand them a bike and say, "If you need help let us know! We're here!" This meeting made me think that this could be the place.
For now, I'll keep an ear on the meetings. Only time will tell if this thing is going to work out in a way that would make a great partner for what is already going on.
Get out there.
It is good to hear your thoughts on the meeting. Lets sit down and chat some more about how to make the community shop and what you have already going on more compatable. We have moved a lot in our discussion since the meeting at Al's. Still the retail bike side is more of the way to pay rent to be able to provide the space, tools, etc.
ReplyDeletewe are now meeting on mondays at 8:30.
Cheers
Tim
@Tim - Thanks man. I'm excited to jump back into the meetings. I'm not sure that I can offer much other than two hands. No matter how it all pans out, I think this is going to be a huge asset to the community. Thanks for being a part of it. I'll be shopping there soon enough!
ReplyDelete