FRYEBURG, ME (BRAIN)—Despite receiving 24 inches of snow four days before, and 8 inches the night after, dealers traveled from all over New England to attend Downeast Bicycle Specialists’ annual Open House at the beginning of March.
"Attendance was a bit down from last year due to a forecasted snowstorm, which in the end we did not get until Monday," said Downeast's Jeff Cavicchi. "But the dealers who did attend were optimistic about the coming year and were enthusiastic about the new lines we have picked up, including Clif Bar, Portland Design Works, Lezyne and Hydrapak. We wrote a fair amount of business, and in general we feel that it was a good start to the early season. Although the economy is on everyone's mind, and folks are holding their breath a little bit waiting to see how the season will go, all indications are that we will see a strong start to 2009."
The dealers who did attend were able to meet with key vendors, review new products, attend seminars by Shimano and SRAM, and have the traditional Mexican luncheon.
