Originally Posted by
tarmusic
Our town has just completed a greenway project that is beautiful and bike-friendly, but there is no bike shop in our vicinity. I own a building 2 blocks from the Greenway, and I sense an opportunity. I have been operating a musical instrument business out of my building for the past 15 years, and I want to make a slow and gradual transition, rather than spending a mint to begin with. Consequently, I want to focus on used bikes, repairs and small goods in the beginning, plus keep a stable of durable rental bikes for folks who want to enjoy the Greenway. The immediate issue is that I need to get set up with a supplier of parts and accessories. Can some of you guys who are in the business advise me as to whom I should call? I should say that we are also going to be stocking canoes, kayaks and doing river outfitting... my business plan with the outfitting business is the same as with the bikes- avoid a huge outlay of capital and build it slowly. Can you help with info. on wholesale bike accessories sources?
Several options out there.
J&B,
SBS (Seattle Bike Supply),
The Hawley Company out of Greenville, SC (locally owned BTW) Those are the ones that come to mind, you can also do
Velo-Orange for the bling bits.
Let us know when you get up and running. I firmly believe in supporting my smaller local bike shops. My current go to for stuff has been
Longleaf Cycles in Wilmington, NC. I also buy from
Hawley's Bicycle World in Fayetteville, NC.
Aaron
