Streetlevel: New Bike Shop for Fort Greene
This got a brief mention earlier this month on General Greene, but it seems worthy of more attention: Fort Greene is getting its very own bicycle shop. According to a sign in the window of the former Snip Snap hair salon at 66 Lafayette Avenue, the new shop will be called Bespoke Bicycles and will…
This got a brief mention earlier this month on General Greene, but it seems worthy of more attention: Fort Greene is getting its very own bicycle shop. According to a sign in the window of the former Snip Snap hair salon at 66 Lafayette Avenue, the new shop will be called Bespoke Bicycles and will open “soon.” GMAP
There’s already a brilliant bike shop in Fort Greene. It’s called The Bicycle Station and they’re located at 171 Park Avenue on the corner of Adelphi Avenue.
Of course with it being at the corner of Park & Adelphi that area might be a bit too “sketchy” for some of the regular posters on this blog. But if you’re brave enough to venture over you’ll find some folks there who are passionate about bikes and who provide excellent repair service at a very reasonable price.
“R&A is one of the largest online high end retailers, they really don’t need walk in traffic.”
No wonder they are such a**holes at the store.
DowningByLaw,
Let’s open that repair shop and get a liquor license too. There’s no money in selling bikes, the margins are too low. It’s all about friendly service, accessories, repairs and a beer or two. I’d love to have a shop where you could sell someone a beer while they waited for their flat tire to be fixed.
fixter = pedal hard moron.
R&A is one of the largest online high end retailers, they really don’t need walk in traffic.
On line retailers do cut into any local shops retail, ask any shop owner that has been in biz for over ten years. Shops do not survive on selling complete bikes, In an urban shop the bread and butter comes from accessories, lights, tires, fenders which could all be found on line at a fraction of what most shops will charge.
Good shops do not flourish because of pricing, they do well because they listen and build relationships with repeat customers.
“Meanwhile don’t whine and gripe about mom and pop businesses closing in your neighborhoods and gentrification and box chain stores.”
They’re not mutually exclusive. Good neighborhood shops can compete with online retailers – or anyone else – as long as they have good selection, reasonable prices and good service. In fact, some compete WITHOUT these qualities (as several posters have pointed out, R&A service and prices suck, but they seem to be among the most successful bike stores in Brooklyn). The bottom line is there is enough business to go around for all of the GOOD retailers. It’s nonsense to think online retailers will “close” VIABLE mom-and-pop retailers.
Nice point Petebkln, however if you do find yourself buying on line maybe show some love to your lbs (local bike shop)and have them install the part, an lbs can in no way compete with online stores but they(good shops at least) offer service that performance,nashbar(crap) can never match.
My gut feeling is that this will be another fixed crazed boutique oriented store, no one in there right mind would open a full service/sales bike shop in todays economy within one mile of three other shops(Bicycle Station, Brooklyn bike and Board, R&A) unless they were targeting a trend. There have been half a dozen boutique shops open in the last few years in manhattan and williamsburg all targeting the fixter, i really really hope I’m wrong(especially since I’m saving to open a repair shop in bedstuy.
Great, you people buy all your stuff online…save a little plus sales tax. Meanwhile don’t whine and gripe about mom and pop businesses closing in your neighborhoods and gentrification and box chain stores.
No wonder only restaurants and bars can pay rents and thats all we are left with these days.
the more bike shops, the merrier. certainly plenty more bikes on the street these days, I haven’t seen that many more bike shops open though.