Starting a bike shop

[turner307]

I am in the business planning stage of starting a bike shop in Minneapolis. The shop will have an equal percentage of men's and women's gear/bikes. Like many women out there, I am tired of the poor and intimidating service provided by male dominated shops. I am looking for any and all input in regards to the shop (layout, favorite gear, favorite bikes). There is also the thought of having a coffee bar attached as well. More of a family, female influence in the store.

I am searching for a partner in crime who knows bike retail better than me if anyone knows that person.

Thank you!

[mimitabby]

I'm no partner in crime, but your idea sounds wonderful!

we have a bike shop here in Seattle owned and run by a woman.

I encourage you, stick around here you'll get lots of ideas!

(brooks saddles)

Mimi

[turner307]

Thank you. What's the name of the store in Seattle?

[sgtiger]

Mmm... bikes and coffee. That's a wonderful idea. One o the LBS's here has a mini espresso bar with a walk-up window (for non bike shop customers). It's nice to be able to grab a double cappa while you wait for a repair. Oh, and it's decorated with bike parts.

I also know a couple that runs a bike shop. Aaron does repairs, while Gypsie is the brains of the business. She's also a LMP and has her practice at the back of the bike shop. Since she only does massage part-time, she rents out the room to other LMP's.

[pyxichick]

Turner307,

Where in Mpls are you planning on having your shop? There are already a ton of shops in town, so I think it's a good idea to specialize for women, since there isn't anything like that yet.

I know a lot of people who would love to patronize such a shop.

Good luck!

kate :)

[BikeMomma]

Turner -
If you plan to attract families, stock LOTS of kids bikes, kids helmets, trailers, etc. I've been lucky here in Atwater/Merced, CA area where we have two really good bike shops that have prevailed over the years. However, the one that is doing better by far is the one at which the shop owner made sure that there was a wide-open area to test ride the bikes, one that is NOT in a parking lot, where the young kids can be as squirrely as they wanna be, teetering precariously, and not have to worry about cars backing into them. So, location and amenities should perhaps be at the forefront when considering where. Changing rooms to try on clothes, clean bathrooms. Quick, friendly, accurate service...you probably know all that though.

This shop owner has also played it smart in securing a contract with the City to supply the Police Department with bikes & service for the bike cops. He's also actively involved in kids' bmx programs in town. He budgets donations to charities, raffles, etc. every year just to keep his name out there. He's been in business now for about 20 or so years, and lookin' good for another 20 if he so chooses.

Not to mention, he's just a great, easy-to-talk-to, easy going guy and knows TONS about ALL kinds of riding, from bmx (he did the national circuit as a youngster), to mountain biking, to road racing (wrenched for the Sierra Nevada team at the Tour of Georgia & other races where he had 18 bikes to service for the team overnight -- talk about all-nighters...).

Edit: if you want any advice/pointers from him, the shop is Kevin's Bikes in Merced, CA. Phone: 209-722-2228. Ask for who else? -- Kevin. I'm sure he'll be glad to help you out. Let him know Kim referred you. Another thing -- he absolutely covets the close group of serious local riders here (mostly us racer types), by giving us discounts and perks here and there, free routine tune-ups, making his shop a hangout/social hour spot, stocking his fridge with Gatorade for after-ride get-togethers....little things that let us know that he appreciates us. This in turn, makes us loyal to him. We're much more likely to buy from him than take our business to the internet or the other shop because of it. Smart guy. ;)

I think catering to women is an excellent idea (edit: also the coffee, 'cause I'm a caffeine fiend...), BUT don't make it tooo girly (i.e. limit the pink and flowers...) where you won't get the guys coming in. Unless you get alot of hard-core dedicated lady cyclists in there, hate to say it, but because THERE ARE more male riders, the majority of sales will logically come from them. And each one is always trying to buy a better bike than the other guy. Consider the testosterone factor.

Good luck!! I wish you success!
~BikeMomma

[KnottedYet]

Free Range Cycles is owned and run by a woman. Is that the shop you were thinking of, Mimi? Or is there another?
http://www.freerangecycles.com/index.shtml

[Trek420]

Left Coast Cycles is run by women, no coffee but there is a Peets next door :p

www.leftcoastcyclery.com

[Triskeliongirl]

You may want to contact Cindi Snell at Bikeworld in San Antonio TX. She co-owns Bikeworld with her husband. She has always been great at stocking lots of womens clothes, and wsd bikes. Also has run some womens clinics. They now have 3 shops in town, and a thriving internet business.

[indysteel]

Great idea. My dream, female-oriented shop would employ a trained bike fitter. It would be even better if that fitter didn't charge and arm and a leg for his/her services! Thankfully, we have just such a shop here in Indianapolis called Nebo Ridge that has a great fitter. They also have an expresso bar and carry my favorite brand--Shebeest.

Whether a shop is run by women or men, I think the trick is to create an atmosphere where all types of riders and both genders are made to feel welcome. At Nebo Ridge, the coffee bar is right in front of the maintenance/service area and they really encourage the bike geeks among us to shoot the breeze with the staff. They have never talked down to me and have encouraged my obsessive curiosity with all things bike-related. I wish I could say that about some of the other shops in town.

I think it also helps to create a sense of community from the shop by, for example, offering weekly rides. Obviously, that creates some business traffic too so it's a win/win.

[mimitabby]

Free range is the one I was thinking of.