Quote Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama View Post
This is how I felt as well. While I think it is great what he is doing for the commuting community (showers/bike lockers are unheard of here), I think we will see some shops close. My favorite area shop is very close to there but they are big time and should only feel a small hurt. The others in the area do not have the volume of the shop I frequent. There are also several non-Trek shops in the area, but they are triathalon shops.

Although, I am curious how personal his shop could feel. The one I frequent is big but you see the same employees and we aren't regulars at that location but they treat us like we are. We will probably visit his shop to drool on the bikes then take our money to our normal shop.
Yeah, a shop knowing your name means something.
Yesterday our friends were in from Northern CA for their first visit. While they were there no less than 5 customers who we know not only by name, but greet as if they are family, walked into the store. Even Douglas our homeless guy came by.
One of our friends asked if we knew all of our customers by name. lol

It was then that I realized that we kind of DO know them by name. I mentioned that to Allen, one of our regulars and he said that's what he likes about us. He said we have "changed his life".
That means a TON to me.
We have been so busy, I'm fighting the flu, our mechanic/manager/fit expert/sales guru has a bad knee and is in constant pain, and running hubbys regular job has kept him from helping me. So stress has been through the roof. but comments like Allen's keep us going.

I can only hope that the other shops in Austin have created that kind of atmosphere for their customers.
I still want to go check out MJ's, but at this point I don't know when I'll be able to find the time. (a good problem to have).
Of course I've always wanted to check out Austin in general- so just another excuse.