Northeast - Loss of a Great Bicycle Shop- Beacon

BEACON BICYCLE SHOP is closing doors here in Vineland, NJ :-(

They are (were) the only currently capable dealer/servicer for true road, mountain, and cross bicycles in the area (not going to count Walmart or k-mart dealers). Nearest shops from here with as much bicycle skill and craftmanship are about 35 miles away (Hammonton, Woodbury, Deptford, Haddonfield...).

Beacon still has 2 other shops. One is in Northfield (another 35 miler) and Tomsriver (50 miles?).

Beacon was the only shop of this calliper in Cumberland County. Now we will be like Salem County that does not have any true bicycle shops either. But we do now have a new MotorSports Park that is planning to expand another 200 acres removing prime wildlife and mountainbike areas to change to hotels, another track, and parking. I am having a hard time seeing bicycle inclusion in planning and current outcomes as being evident.

A truely sad event (eye-opener?)...

tomg

This is a serious question, not an antagonistic one. How doe such a shop that is supposedly so good, without any real competition in a 35 mile radius, fail? Were their prices too high compared to the internet? Are there not enough local riders to support a shop like this? I remember the Beacon name from when I used to race in the 80's, so the business as a whole must be doing something right.

Regardless, I'm sorry to hear about them closing. The LBS has a huge potential to positively influence the local cycling scene.

This is a serious question, not an antagonistic one. (1) How doe such a shop that is supposedly so good, without any real competition in a 35 mile radius, fail? (2) Were their prices too high compared to the internet? (3) Are there not enough local riders to support a shop like this? I remember the Beacon name from when I used to race in the 80's, so the business as a whole must be doing something right.

Regardless, I'm sorry to hear about them closing. The LBS has a huge potential to positively influence the local cycling scene.

1) county is car centered
2) prices were fair
3) most likely

Cumberland county has been automobile-centered from the 1950's with drive-in theaters, cruzing down Landis ave, stewarts root-beer drive-in, and a major number of used car dealers, auto-parts stores. There was a race track (stock-car i believe) back then as well. It was closed because too many people got hurt and were too fast for design.

Next to Millville Airport, 3 new car racing tracks have been built (with-in a years time) and have been advertised extensively! It is a new money generating magnet in the area. Cumberland county government has supported this venture as well in what used to be the states most recessed county. It appears that the EPA has masked their view of impact.

The number of bicyclists here are minute compared to automobile drivers. On my commute, I see 1 or 2 other riders, sometimes. I drive for my employment and rarely see bicyclists. There also were politics involved with even company support (or lack of) for Beacon here.

It appears that Beacon Sports are planning to expand their Northfield (Atlantic County) shop. Again, other good bicycle shops (LBS) are around but a venture out of county will be needed to Atlantic, Gloucester, or Camden counties, NJ.

I think we have some of the best bicycle riding areas in the state. It is sad to see support of good LBS leave.