Spoke Life Cycles to open downtown

TIFFIN — Spoke Life Cycles is poised to breathe fresh energy into Seneca County's cycling landscape as it prepares to open a store at 70 E. Market St. within a few weeks. The new store is in the Laird Building next to Jolly's. Founded by Brian Schroyer and Rob Golden, the store begins a new era of support for area cyclists. It will pay homage to the late Mark "Bunky" Roehrig, who formerly worked alongside some of Spoke Life's employees in the Fremont area. Roehrig, a staple in the local cycling community, owned Bunky's Bicycle Shop in Tiffin until June 2017. The new store manager is Mitch Stearns. "I've been riding bikes for a long time," Stearns said. He's also been repairing bikes for a long time. Stearns said he plans to open the doors to the store within the next two or three weeks after working with Golden for several months. He said making connections with Spoke Life Cycles helped to make opening a cycling shop much easier. Tyler Shuff, of Shuff Consulting, played a role in helping the store find a home in Seneca County and in connecting Spoke Life Cycles with Stearns. "I helped them connect the dots," he said. "We've been talking and having conversations for three years, probably more than three years. We wanted to find the right space, make sure the timing was right, and he needed a person to run the shop. "It's crucial to have a bike shop in Seneca County," Shuff said. "Cycling isn't just a sport; it's a lifestyle that promotes health, connectivity and a sense of community. Spoke Life Cycles' presence will undoubtedly give a spark to our community's cycling culture and the local economy." Eugene Stacy of Seneca Active agreed. "I think it's a great idea," Stacy said. "We desperately need it." Stacy said he has noticed more people riding bikes since the bicycle-friendly markings were placed on the streets. "I think that's kind of opened things up," Stacy said. "I'm really interested in getting the town quieter and safer for not just bikes, but for pedestrians. "The ability for people to feel safe just moving around is going to make a big difference," he said. He said the downtown area is having a strong impact on the economy. "Of course, it's always nice to have another business," Stacy said. A news release from Shuff Consulting said Seneca County's growth and development were a driving force for Golden in the decision to locate in Tiffin. The release said the shop will carry brands such as Cannondale, Specialized, Giant and electric bikes from Denago, Biria and Aventon. Other brands include GT Pivot, Santa Cruz, Salsa, TerraTrike and Trident Trike. Also, the store is to house a comprehensive service department. Equipped to handle maintenance and repairs for an array of bike brands, offering a "supportive cycling ecosystem." The Tiffin store marks the fifth community cycling store for Spoke Life Cycles. Others are in Perrysburg, Sylvania, Fremont and Elmore. "The growth in Tiffin and Seneca County echoes our own journey as a brand," Golden said in the release. "We're excited to join this community, reinvigorating cycling and providing exciting new services and products. Our newest store represents a shared passion and commitment to cycling excellence, bridging past and future." "Seneca County has been eagerly awaiting a dedicated bike shop, and Spoke Life Cycles' entry couldn't be more timely," Shuff said in the release. "Cycling brings people together, promotes a healthier lifestyle and contributes to the local economy – all factors that make this a huge win for our community."