Originally Posted by
tjspiel
There's a few places sort of like that around here. Aside from the place I mentioned already there are couple of others that sell gourmet coffee and sandwiches and/or baked goods. They have tables, couches, or bars so people can hang out. None of them have a huge number of bikes for sale on the floor. They're more like showrooms but they do have service and parts available. They cater to those who see biking as part of their lifestyle rather than just an occasional recreational activity.
Agreed, The bike shop/cafe's in Minneapolis also have bikes and food, but that's where the similarity ends. They were built on and grew out of the bike community and they have credibility and a regular clientele that is earned and honest. They weren't manufactured on a borrowed concept by a global brand marketing committee. There's nothing inherently wrong with that destination type of store, where would the Mall of America, 5th ave NYC, Las Vegas, Michigan Ave, and Rodeo Drive be with out them
With that said, if I'm ever lucky enough to get to those areas in Stockholm or Tokyo I would definitely stop in and have a beer and bite and stare at bikes. Which reminds me, I'm gonna go to One on One and get some soup for lunch.