We have recently been approached by, for no better descriptor,
hipsters, asking if they could have a "fixed gear/SS" day on a day
when we are not open. They are interested in doing tune-ups and
modifications on their own bikes and are somewhat competent and
autonomous mechanics. We don't really have any collective members that
are willing or able to staff another shift beyond what we are already
open. We know some of these folks pretty well on a personal, outside
of the shop level, but not too many have been active volunteers.
Basically we trust some of them and would like to make the shop
available to them but am not sure as to how to do it equitably. We
have opened the shop to special groups before (at-risk youth groups,
etc) but always staffed by a willing and able collective member. Do
any shops make exceptions for folks like this? How do you make sure
that things are getting paid for, tools being used properly, random
folks stopping by being respected, etc. without having a collective
member in the place? Any problems from shops that have done this?
Thanks,
Andrew
FM Community Bicycle Workshop