ANN ARBOR, MI (BRAIN) —Long-time retailer Wheels in Motion is wrapping up the final stages of a major expansion project that will more than quadruple its current 2,500 square-foot retail store, and make it Ann Arbor’s largest bike shop.
Owner Dewight Plotner purchased the vacant neighboring space, a former bowling alley, last August and began renovations in early March. The newly expanded section of the store will open for business on July 24.
Family owned and operated since 1933, Wheels in Motion is also Ann Arbor’s oldest bike shop. “I was born into the business,” said Plotner. “So I’m a third generation bike shop owner.” Plotner’s son and daughter, who both work in the store, are carrying on the family tradition.
Plotner said that the store has long been limited by its size. “We’ve been planning to expand for a few years. There have been a lot of things we’ve wanted to do over the years but couldn’t because we just didn’t have the room,” he said. “We were just waiting for the right time to do it, and that time finally came.”
The 9,740 square-foot addition includes a conference room for hosting community meetings and clinics. Onsite showers and lockers will be available for staff, and there is a studio for spin classes during winter months.
"This gives us the opportunity to have more of the products we carry actually visible in our showroom and offer space for the cycling public to use,” said Plotner.
Wheels in Motion is located at 3400 Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor and carries Trek, Kona, Look, Electra, Niner and others. A grand opening celebration is planned for mid-August.
