AUSTIN, Tex. (BRAIN) — Just two months after opening his first store outside the Austin city limits in Bee Cave, Texas, retailer Hill Abell has opened a fifth location near the University of Texas campus. Abell jumped on the opportunity to lease Ozone Bike Dept.'s space on Guadalupe Street after it shuttered earlier this year. At 3,600 square feet, the new store is the smallest Bicycle Sport Shop location. It opened on Oct. 1.
"This was unplanned but such a good opportunity. We gutted it and cleaned it up, and since I acted as general contractor, it was the single most challenging project I've taken on," Abell said. "With the store in Bee Cave also under construction, I think it was the busiest three months I've had in 30 years in the business."
Several employees from Abell's largest store on South Lamar Street in Austin moved to the Guadalupe store, including a manager, assistant manager and two service staff.
Bicycle Sport Shop on Guadalupe stocks Specialized, Trek, Santa Cruz, Surly and several other brands, and features a wall showcasing bikes and accessories from local brand Fairdale. Abell said the shop's primary markets are students and families.
"In just the first week, we sold a lot of kids' bikes, so I expect we will do a good business with families," he said. "And we've also done a lot of service work already."
The new store is located at 3202 Guadalupe St. in Austin.
