Thank You !
As we wrap up our 25th season here at the shop, I’m grateful to have been voted by the readers of Canadian Cyclist as one of Canada’s best bike shops. This is our 14th year in a row receiving this honour, and it means as much today as it did the first time.
It’s easy to create a business, but not easy to create something unique. When you walk in, I want it to feel like you’re not in a bike shop, but someone’s bike shop. I want you to feel the owner and feel my passion for bikes and the culture that surrounds them. .
We all know how challenging the last few years in the bike business have been. Being a small, dedicated road shop in one of the northernmost markets, we too have felt those challenges. Over five years ago, I made the decision to go appointment-only, and I will never go back. This has allowed me to provide the level of service I expect from PRW, while also better managing our workload in both bike fitting and service. I know this model isn’t for every consumer, but for our clients and those I wish to cater to it has been amazing.
We’ve had some of our strongest years since moving to this model, so I know it’s working. I was by no means the first shop in our industry to do this, and I encourage others to rethink the standard bike shop model. It’s not just about adapting to change it’s about evolving. Our industry is not what it was 25 years ago. Those who continue to operate as they did in the past will struggle, as we see daily with brands and shops closing their doors.
I love this industry, but it needs to change in many ways to flourish and sustain itself. It’s not always about growth, no matter what a sales manager may say—it’s about being strong and sustainable. I don’t have all the answers, and who knows, maybe I’m doing it all wrong. But I do know that those in this industry who go against the norm and do things differently will create a strong foundation, one that others will try to replicate in the future.
It won’t happen overnight, but each small change can be a catalyst. In the end, you’re creating a brand, not just a bike shop.