Hey Josh,
i totally understand your comment.. in the case I am in, we are in a small revitalizing post-industrial town where there is NO bikeshop (other than walmart). I founded a nomadic recycling operation several years ago that has a great reputation in the community and now seeing where the town is going (lots of new real estate development, new demographics... essentially gentrification, but of a particular post-industrial small town breed/brand), i am contemplating that someone is gonna come in and open up a shop in the next 3-5 years. i can see it. my thought is... it should be us, dammit! we have been here doing the work. we have the people (who need the paid work.) and the expertise, and the drive necessary to make it happen.... etc.. and... we could create a 'commercial' shop that is community oriented as opposed to a crap shop that only exists to make profits, and maybe the owner(s) dont even work there.
but of course, this would potentially change things in a big way and i am wondering if there are people out there who are sorting out the logistics of running dual financial entities simultaneously while maintaining a volunteer base and maintaining the all-important spirit of "community bike" work and community-building.
this actually IS intended for the list :) i wanted to give a bit more context, and see what else people had to say. i am prodding a bit. I want to get peoples reactions. this very idea doesnt necessarily sit well with me, but i want to try think hypothetically and innovatively about it.
overall, i really appreciate the thoughtfulness and haste of the conversation here. thanks everyone!
andrew
veganboyjosh@gmail.com wrote:
oops, that wasn't meant to go to the entire list. sorry...
On Dec 17, 2007 8:26 AM, <veganboyjosh@gmail.com mailto:veganboyjosh@gmail.com> wrote:
this is one reason why i think we shouldn't get into selling new parts... On Dec 17, 2007 8:18 AM, info@re-cycles.ca <mailto:info@re-cycles.ca> < info@re-cycles.ca <mailto:info@re-cycles.ca>> wrote: We have avoided retailing any new bikes or parts to minimize competition with the local retail bike shops many of which support us with donations of used bikes & parts and a deep discount on any tools or new parts needed to complete our overhauls. Chris
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