Coronavirus pandemic shutters Puyallup bike shop
This story has been updated.
After five years of steady growth, a downtown Puyallup bike shop is closing permanently and moving to Eastern Washington.
Aaron Todd, owner of Downtown Bike, told customers in a Facebook video on Thursday, April 30, that his landlord sold the building. Moving to a new Puyallup location was not feasible, Todd said.
The store will close May 16.
“Despite our success and growth, the current situation and what’s going on around us, our landlord had to make a tough decision and chose to sell the building we are in,” Todd said.
Other than a bike shop in Sumner, Todd’s store is the only full service bike store east of I-5 in Pierce County, he said. His customers came as far as Eatonville and Spanaway to tune up their bikes.
The store is moving to Cashmere, where Todd has already invested in a location downtown before news from his landlord and the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has been good for business, Todd said. Bike stores were named essential businesses in Gov. Jay Inslee’s orders. More people have pulled old bikes from attics and sheds and taken them into his store for repairs.
“We’re actually thriving,” he said. “But there are so many businesses with challenges, and our hearts go out to them. “
Todd, his wife and their two kids consider Eastern Washington their “playground” and have been interested in moving in recent years. He had intended to open a second shop and commute between the two storefronts throughout the week. His plans fell through after his Puyallup lease was up and the building was sold.
Todd works the store alone but usually takes in about three seasonal employees during the summer months.
He opened the shop in 2015 in his garage and quickly outgrew the space. Moving into the back of an antique shop, business quickly followed, and he moved again to his current location on 109 E. Stewart Ave.
The hardest part of Todd’s new chapter is leaving behind the community support he has received.
“It’s heartbreaking because our community made us who we are,” he said. “Every day, when someone walked through our doors, we were grateful for them, because they made it possible for us to do this.”
Todd is optimistic for the new store. He will move to a bigger location, $100,000 of inventory, tools and supplies, and the good name to grow. He encourages someone to carry the torch and start a bike shop in the area.
“It’s ripe for the picking,” he said.
To keep updated on the new Downtown Bike in Cashmere, visit the site at https://www.downtownb.com.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 5:05 AM.
