Cycle shop wheels toward new location downtown

ALPENA --A popular bicycle shop in Alpena will be moving and opening a brand-new location in the heart of downtown.

Not only will the shop continue to offer a wide selection of bikes and accessories, but also will provide a place for cycling enthusiasts to congregate and service their rides.

Harborside Cycle and Sport has been located in Harborside Mall since 2015, but, this spring, it will move a few blocks away to Second Avenue, into the former Stephen's Menswear store. Stephen's, a downtown staple for 30 years, closed last month when its owners, Stephen and Joanne Gallagher, decided to retire.

Harborside Cycle Owner Tom Dowd said the current location has helped him establish his business and a customer base. But he said that, to take the store to the next level and meet new goals, a change in venue is needed.

Dowd said he is excited for the move and hopes to have it open before the spring shopping rush begins in April.

"I have always wanted to be a part of the central downtown shopping experience, but, at the time I was looking for a space, the current space, which is great, was the best fit," Dowd said. "I just don't have the foot traffic and amount of visitors I should have at the new location, because I'm a little out of the way. I will be more visible on Second Avenue."

Dowd said the property at the Second Avenue location will be split in two. There will be a store in front and he will have his business in the rear where there is a partial deck and plenty of nearby parking.

He said there are some big plans in store, which will allow not only for the sale of his products. He said that, because of the growing popularity of cycling and store-sponsored biking events, features will be included in the new store that will improve placemaking downtown, which is a goal of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority, Alpena Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the city government.

"We are going to add a whole new experience to the bike shop," he said. "People can stop, hang out, and it will be a place for people to congregate. We will have the winery right there, the Mexican restaurant right there, Fresh Palate and a new brewery coming. I think it will help recreate that entire back-alley area and make even more of a social gathering spot."

Dowd said there will also be a little service station on the property, where riders can make minor adjustments to their bikes, put air in their tires and more.

The store will be downsized some due to the move and smaller floor space. Dowd said some of the other recreational items he currently sells with not be available in-house after the move. He said items like kayaks, disc golf supplies and other outdoor recreation gear will be limited.

"We started out as a cycle shop and that is primarily where our business comes from," he said. "I want to return more to what my original vision was. Being in the heart of the action downtown is a big part of that."

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpeanews.com.