Almost had a bike shop

[OakLeaf]

As a former disability claimants' representative ... if he's under 50 and his arthritis hasn't made him physically incapable of working on bikes, it's pretty likely that he's got a mental or emotional condition contributing to his disability. It's pretty difficult for a younger person to qualify. Anything that would make it harder for him to be an employee, would make it harder for him to deal with bureaucracy, too.

Vocational rehabilitation agencies are stretched far past their limits. It's not unusual to see them doing just what this guy's did - throw money at education and start-up costs, but not give a client the real support they need to get back to work. Sheltered workshops are reserved for the clients with the severest disabilities, usually those who will never be able to handle competitive employment. And VR counselors are human, too, and it's natural that they get super frustrated dealing with people who have personality disorders or severe depression - people who, just like your guy, manage to find or create barriers where a healthy person might see opportunities. It's way more rewarding to work with clients with cognitive deficits or strictly physical limitations, so they wind up getting more attention.

Sorry it didn't work out, for both of you, and for your town.

[Melalvai]

That's a good point, and entirely possible.

I wasn't sure if writing a letter to him was the best idea, that maybe the best course was to stay out of it entirely. It's likely that my letter made him mad because I wasn't too gentle. I wasn't mean or rude but I did suggest he consider what is professional behavior.

After his dramatic announcement that he's closing the shop, in the comments discussion that ensued, he mentioned that the fellow who has a store front he could rent had not returned his messages. The fellow responded to that right away and it looks like he might go ahead and move into the store front, which would make the license issue a simple matter. I know the store front guy too, and since the space is standing empty at the moment and the store front guy is a car free cyclist, I believe the bike shop guy will get the space for perhaps free or at any rate a very reasonable cost. (Like most small towns, the downtown is struggling, and the "business incubation" model involves landlords giving new businesses a sweet deal so long as no one else is wanting to pay the full rent.)

If that happens--something I believe is still a big "if"-- I will feel partly responsible, that my letter sparked him to get a store front and become legitimate.

[shootingstar]

That would be great for your community to have a bike store.

Don't know other things to this type of venture and conditions of his support as a start-up. But maybe he realizes to commit as a long term business owner...he has to work seriously hard to earn money and stay in business. So maybe, hence, his vacillation.

[Melalvai]

I forgot to update here, but a couple weeks after all this, the guy announced that he had his business license from the city. He didn't build the extra parking, I don't think he got a Special Use Permit, so I don't know how he worked it out. But I don't really care--I'm just glad he's legal! Oh-- the assistant City Manager posted "Congratulations" on his fb announcement, so I'm sure its legit. I wouldn't necessarily have trusted just his word on it.

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Really hoping it works out.