Back in 2008, I went to Bilenky’s shop for a minor modification to a rear rack that I needed to retrofit to my new touring bike. I remember thinking that some people might have second thoughts about ordering a custom bike if they first saw the place. Total organized chaos.

I got the work done in no time, got a tour of the shop and was offered some pastry. They initially refused to take any money. When I insisted, Simon said “Give me $9.” I opened my wallet to find exactly a five and four ones. So you can say the place took me for everything I had at the time.