Originally Posted by
Sluggo
Most of the shops in previous posts focus on education, shop space access, and re-using bikes and parts. They seem to run mostly on volunteer energy, which is admirable but not necessarily sustainable in the long run.
Does anyone know of any shops that follow a more mainstream co-op business model:
* not necessarily nonprofit (any profits go to member-owners or are reinvested in the business);
*incorporated as co-op;
*follow and promote
International Co-operative Alliance Principles
Such a shop would probably have regular hours; a paid staff (that may get paid partially in shares if a worker co-op); maybe (or maybe not) carry conventional bike shop lines of new parts and bikes; and a board of directors and probably a general manager.
Of those posted, it sounds like Good Life comes closest in that it has staff. Any others?
In response, we're close to more of that criteria in one way or another. The Good Life does carry a small amount of new inventory, primarily in the form of essentials though - cables / housing, tubes / pumps / patch kits, and brake pads for instance. We are authorized as a full dealership through a Canadian parts distributor, but do not sell large goods new - there is a bike shop across the hall, and other shops in the area where one could easily find new stuff.
Any profits taken by the Good Life over the last year have so far been used to continue shop operations over the winter, where our daily revenue is not necessarily keeping things running. This way, the benefit of the busy summer is allowing daily commuters and enthusiasts to have the shop year round. Sales / income is low at the moment, but the repair stands are still getting good traffic.
RE: Future profit, I don't know exactly what the plan may be. Its likely that a similar stance will be taken for next winter, along with continued improvement of shop facilities.
There is no assigned BoD or GM, although we have equivalents. Essentially, we have a monthly directional meeting, where any member of the shop who has spent some time volunteering (10hrs) is welcome to join in the decision making process directly. There are several dedicated members, and greaser staff that show up continually, so there is a measure of continuity.
Management is handled by greaser staff at the direct shop level, and by some great individuals who handle things like finances.