Republic Cycles Not a Third Wheel in Brackendale
Any Brackendale citizen knows “Republic Bikes” is aptly named. Lifelong resident and proprietor Armand Hurford jokes that he used to hang out in the café next to his new shop whilst In-Utero. Now the upstart bike shop is tucked away in a tin shed beside the historic Post Office and Bistro.
Huford is a mature twenty nine years and riding bikes has taken him many places far and near. First as a BMX racer in grade one and later, guiding mountain bike tours at sixteen. He’s wrenched for other shops and sold bikes for Kona, traveling between Winnipeg and the Yukon.
“I’ve literally been in every bike ship in Western Canada. There is no way I’d build a shop anywhere else but in this location.” chides Hurford.
Community is key when building a bike shop. It’s more than a place to buy bikes and get them fixed. It will take some time for the Republic to build its own culture. The freshly hewn wood exterior and a friendly dog tied outside give the shop the right “feeling, vibe and soul”.
The former auto body and furniture shop was worse inside than the roughshod looking exterior when Hurford took over. When asked about the most satisfying moment prior to opening last week, he says it was the opportunity to have four generations of his family working together.
“It’s pretty rare that I can work with my Grandfather, Father and daughter (age 5) to help build my dream.”
When asked about challenges he hasn’t faced many yet. Hurford feels that everything lined up to make it happen. The perfect location. The correct timing. The right concept. Being the third wheel in town doesn’t phase him.
“ Both bike shops (Tantalus and CORSA) do an excellent job and are very successful. But there is a point where someone is going to open another shop and my business model doesn’t need a whole lot of sales to be sustainable.”
Currently he does all the sales, repairs and grunt work. His fiancé Jen helps with the books. This small shop concept has its share of challenges he admits. Often times he can be found fixing bikes until the wee hours of the night.
“My niche will be one to one customer service. I also feel that bikes are meant to be ridden and not driven around.”
Many riders finish their weekend rip and drop their wheels off at the shop for a tune up and then walk home. Approximately twenty people a day were stopping in during the opening week.
Product wise, Republic will hinge its line on Jamis mountain bikes. The American company has slowly been building a reputation south of the border and is making its break into Canada. Hurford is an avid road rider and he plans to support that market as well. Squamish’s burgeoning BMX scene will also find their tricked out bikes at his shop.
To get the word out, Republic is sponsoring a SORCA Youth Toonie race on April 29th. Group rides are also on the horizon. Republic’s grand opening will be announced in May.
Around the Water Cooler
Should Tantalus way be called “Eatery Alley”?
Sushi Sen Japanese Restaurant and Essence of India open their doors
Lizzie Bay Logging is moving its office to Pemberton
Please check out this story and others here http://www.ultipromo.com/blog/index.htm Tips and story ideas are welcome. ideaguy@ultipromo.com
Huford is a mature twenty nine years and riding bikes has taken him many places far and near. First as a BMX racer in grade one and later, guiding mountain bike tours at sixteen. He’s wrenched for other shops and sold bikes for Kona, traveling between Winnipeg and the Yukon.
“I’ve literally been in every bike ship in Western Canada. There is no way I’d build a shop anywhere else but in this location.” chides Hurford.
Community is key when building a bike shop. It’s more than a place to buy bikes and get them fixed. It will take some time for the Republic to build its own culture. The freshly hewn wood exterior and a friendly dog tied outside give the shop the right “feeling, vibe and soul”.
The former auto body and furniture shop was worse inside than the roughshod looking exterior when Hurford took over. When asked about the most satisfying moment prior to opening last week, he says it was the opportunity to have four generations of his family working together.
“It’s pretty rare that I can work with my Grandfather, Father and daughter (age 5) to help build my dream.”
When asked about challenges he hasn’t faced many yet. Hurford feels that everything lined up to make it happen. The perfect location. The correct timing. The right concept. Being the third wheel in town doesn’t phase him.
“ Both bike shops (Tantalus and CORSA) do an excellent job and are very successful. But there is a point where someone is going to open another shop and my business model doesn’t need a whole lot of sales to be sustainable.”
Currently he does all the sales, repairs and grunt work. His fiancé Jen helps with the books. This small shop concept has its share of challenges he admits. Often times he can be found fixing bikes until the wee hours of the night.
“My niche will be one to one customer service. I also feel that bikes are meant to be ridden and not driven around.”
Many riders finish their weekend rip and drop their wheels off at the shop for a tune up and then walk home. Approximately twenty people a day were stopping in during the opening week.
Product wise, Republic will hinge its line on Jamis mountain bikes. The American company has slowly been building a reputation south of the border and is making its break into Canada. Hurford is an avid road rider and he plans to support that market as well. Squamish’s burgeoning BMX scene will also find their tricked out bikes at his shop.
To get the word out, Republic is sponsoring a SORCA Youth Toonie race on April 29th. Group rides are also on the horizon. Republic’s grand opening will be announced in May.
Around the Water Cooler
Should Tantalus way be called “Eatery Alley”?
Sushi Sen Japanese Restaurant and Essence of India open their doors
Lizzie Bay Logging is moving its office to Pemberton
Please check out this story and others here http://www.ultipromo.com/blog/index.htm Tips and story ideas are welcome. ideaguy@ultipromo.com
<< Home