ATLANTA, GA (BRAIN)—A powerful snow and ice storm hit the southern states of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi Sunday night forcing many bike suppliers and retailers to close their doors Monday. Most expect to resume regular business hours Tuesday, Jan. 11.
“Due to dangerous winter road conditions, all Free-Flite Bicycle locations will be closed Monday, Jan. 10,” read an announcement on the store’s website. Free-Flite Bicycle has three locations in Marietta, East Cobb and Canton, Georgia.
Roswell Bicycles in Roswell, Georgia, also said on its website that it would reopen on Tuesday, after closing Monday “due to the snow received last night.”
Authorities declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. They have also closed schools and local government offices across Georgia, throughout most of Alabama and in South Carolina and parts of Mississippi.
Angelo Cilli of Wilier-USA, which has its warehouse and office in Atlanta, said the company wasn’t shipping out bikes Monday. “The warehouse is closed,” he said.
LH Thomson in Macon, Georgia, was open but operating with a skeleton crew, according to Daniel Nietzold, research and development engineering manager, one of the few that came into the office and was answering phones on Monday.
“I don’t think we’re going to ship anything today,” he said. “Georgia, from mid-state forward is shut down.” Of the 80 staff that work at Thomson’s Georgia manufacturing facility, only about a dozen made it in, he said.
Other businesses that have closed include Tifosi Optics in Watkinsville, Georgia, and Blue Competition Cycles in Norcross, Georgia.
-Lynette Carpiet
lcarpiet@bicycleretailer.com
