BROOKLYN (BRAIN) — Nearly 290 retailers from 47 states and seven countries have signed up to take part in the second annual Bike Shop Day, an event launched last year by Brooklyn retailer 718 Cyclery. Owner Joe Nocella, who founded the event, said he anticipates participation will grow well past 300 as IBDs continue to register through Friday.
Bike Shop Day takes inspiration from Record Store Day, which is held every year in April to celebrate the independent record store. This year's Bike Shop Day is set for Saturday, Dec. 1.
"We specifically chose this date in order to avoid all of the Black Friday/Shop Small Saturday noise, and have a day all to ourselves," Nocella said.
718 Cyclery's day-long celebration will include swag bags for the first 20 people, a basic maintenance class, rock 'n' roll trivia contest, DJ, prize wheel, barbecue and special discounts.
"The events are varied and a great cross section of IBDs across the country," Nocella told BRAIN in an email.
Forty-three shops participated in last year's event, and as of middday Friday, 287 have signed up for the second edition, which is emphasizing inclusion of people who are under-represented in the bicycle industry.
