Natasha Baldin/Contributor
After operating out of its Bay Street location for 33 years, Victoria bike shop Bicycleitis recently announced it has opened a new store on Oak Bay Avenue.
The family-owned bike shop celebrated the soft launch of its new location at 1814 Oak Bay Ave., citing it had “outgrown” its previous space and wanted more room to display inventory.
“There’s a lot more floor space (at the new location) so we don’t have to move the bikes. It’s a little less musical bikes, which we’re used to at our old location,” said Bicycleitis owner Jeremy Kumbruch.
Whether Bicycleitis will continue to operate out of both locations or fully transition to the new location is “still up in the air,” Kumbruch said, while the shop tests if the new two-location business model is sustainable.
Bicycleitis has also signed on to take part in the new B.C. e-bike rebate program, which has already seen a high number of applications across the province since its launch on June 1.
While Kumbruch said his shop only carries a “modest selection of e-bikes,” he added the new location will allow for more space to sell, display and expand its e-bike inventory.
Currently, Bicycleitis is only offering sales and minor repairs at the Oak Bay Avenue shop. Kumbruch said the moving process over from the old location has been gradual, and he will continue moving equipment in the next two weeks to make the new service department fully operational for all repairs and refurbishments.
After marking its soft launch last week, Kumbruch said he is planning a grand opening later this summer to celebrate with the community and to officially introduce the loyal Bay Street clientele to the new location.
“Our older Bay Street location is known to be a little bit rougher around the edges,” he said. “It’s shinier and cleaner here at the new location … which is a big change for our loyal customers.”
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