FREDERICK, MD (BRAIN)—Having outgrown its previous location, The Bicycle Escape relocated this month to a larger space that opens up new possibilities for the 6-year-old retailer.
The Bicycle Escape has upgraded from 1,800 to 3,000 square feet in the busiest shopping center in Frederick County, Maryland, co-owner Tom Rinker said. A Wegmans grocery megastore across the street, which brings in customers from a wide region, will also help with foot traffic at the shop, he noted.
“Certainly it’s a very high-exposure area. We feels it’s really gonna get The Bicycle Escape’s name out there,” said Rinker.
The shop has doubled its service bay to two work stations and added a digital check-in system. Out on the sales floor, a more open floor plan and improved product displays made from clothing retail fixtures allow The Bicycle Escape to “explore new categories,” Rinker said.
Though it has always been a full-service shop, the bigger and more customer-friendly space has enabled Rinker to deepen his selection in such categories as tri, touring and longer-travel mountain bikes, he explained. Main bike lines are Specialized and Giant; other brands include Moots, Haro, We the People, Fitbikeco, Independent Fabrication and YiPsan.
The shop has also increased its bike restoration business, leveraging relationships with local polishers and custom bike builders to help restore parts and frames and return customers’ faded steeds to their former glory. Several restoration projects are featured on The Bicycle Escape’s blog.
