Originally Posted by
John E
Yup -- I was a starving UCLA grad student who worked (more than) full time every summer and Christmas break and about 20 hrs/week during the school year at Bikecology, which was literally a mom-and-pop shop. I worked all day every Saturday year round, although the boss did begrudgingly let me off for the 1972 Los Angeles Wheelmen Double Century (Grand Tour). Friday afternoons and evenings we enjoyed great camaraderie while we ate pizza and assembled bikes until about 11pm for the Saturday rush.
Fortunately, UCLA tuition was only $207.50 per quarter back then, and when we got married, my wife and I found an apartment a mile and a half south of campus for $140/month. Being able to buy bicycle parts at dealer cost did help, since we rode our bikes everywhere and did not have a car until three years later.
My first WLA apartment just out of high school was $182.50 a month. Then came rent control fortunately. When I left, they immediately rented it for double just three years later. The owner was a grinder, about a year in everyone in the building was accused of skipping a month's rent. Some did not have all the receipts and paid a month extra, I had all my checks, made copies and that ended that.
WLA / SM had a number of interesting shops. MDR Cyclery, Bicycleville, Braun's Multiprises, SM Bike shop (closed in 75 or so), Helen's, Bikecology, Hans Ohrt, C.Hardings, I Martin Imports, BH bike Shop.
Helen's is still around with multiple locations, Alan sold out twice essentially, he was probably the most savvy of the bunch.