Shop name: Kegel's Bicycle Store
Location: Rockford, IL. USA
Years in business: I have records that start in 1927 so that is what I go by, but we are also related to the world's oldest Harley Davidson dealership and they are over 100 years old. I have owned it since 1997.
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Robb Sinks: The first three weeks of C19 we were very slow, then the weather warmed up and it was unbelievably busy.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Robb Sinks: I watched the news and and it was a moving target, so we just rolled with the punches.
Now, being in this situation for many months, how did you manage to keep your business rolling?
Robb Sinks: I am constantly on the phone and computer checking back orders, looking for parts/bikes securing as much product as possible for this season. It is going to be a hard year product wise, so I am being as proactive now as possible.
The supply chain has also suffered. Has it been a challenge getting the bikes/product in stock
Shop name: Waller BMX
Location: Sheffield, United Kingdom
Years in business: 8-9 Years
Best year yet: 2020
Worst year yet: Well, we setup in 2012 and it's grown every year since.
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Jack Waller: I think my thought process went a little like this: Holy s**t, we're fu***d... oh bike shops are essential... nice! Seriously though, when we saw businesses had to shut we were guttered. We felt ridiculously lucky but a lot of our friends who run their own local businesses were seeing the impact which wasn't nice.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Jack Waller: I don't think long term we were giving it much thought. Just taking it day by day and trying to inform our customers that we're operating like normal with a few measures in place.
Now, being in this situation for many months, how did you manage to keep your business rolling?
Shop name: LUXBMX
Dave Dillewaard - Roll in the business: Manager/Mechanic
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
Years in business: 10
Best year yet: 2020 if you could believe that!
Worst year yet: The first couple of years for sure!
2020 has been, well, different. When did Covid-19 turn up and start influencing your business?
Dave Dillewaard: Our craziness started the day I returned from Portugal in March. I was over there for the annual UCI Judges conference and the day I returned home our government put in mandatory quarantine for overseas travelers. Technically I got home the day before this happened but I did 2 weeks working from home to be safe.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Dave Dillewaard: We didn’t really do much at the start. Just the normal precautions. As restrictions from our government got a little stricter we ended up having to close the showroom for the immediate future
Shop name: Pusher BMX
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA.
Years in business: 10
Best year yet: 2020
Worst year yet: 2012
2020 has been, well, different. When did Covid-19 turn up and start influencing your business?
Pusher BMX: Covid hit about March here but had been creeping in since January 2021.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Pusher BMX: We knew this wasn't going to end any time soon. We took the normal precautions that were recommended or ordered and just hoped for the best.
Now, being in this situation for many months, how did you manage to keep your business rolling?
Pusher BMX: Bike shops were considered essential business and for that reason along with a massive influx of new riders, covid has forced people to become active again and find something to fill the void in their lives. So, from a sales point of view we rolled right along with it all. BMX finally came out on top.
Shop name: Soulcycle BMX Shop
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Years in business: Rollin’ since 99
Best year yet: 2020 (Best vibes in the store, Amsterdams scene is tight)
Worst year yet: 2021 (Haven’t been able to open our doors yet because of the current Dutch lockdown).
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Emile Bouwman: The end is near.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Shop name: Circuit BMX Shop
Location: Pawtucket RI
Years in business: 15
Best year yet: 2020
Worst year yet: 2009
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Victor Bettencourt: Personally I thought, oh shit. This is it, we are shutting down and we will be struggling for a little while. It ended up being quite the opposite.
Shop name: Signature Bmx
Location: Vantaa, Finland
Years in business: 15
Best year yet: 2010
Worst year yet: 2020
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Signature Bmx: A bit worried if we can keep the shop open.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Signature Bmx: We stocked some sanitizers and disinfectants immediately. It was pretty obvious this will take some time. Finnish people keep distance naturally and don't socialize too much so it's been quite easy. We're definitely not a hugging nation.
Shop name: Gnarly Bikes
Location: New Braunfels, TX
Years in business: 2 1/2
Best year yet: 2020
Worst year yet: 2018
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Galen Church: First thought was, no big deal. That quickly changed to “we can’t make it a month if we have to shut down”
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Shop name: 5050 Bike & Skate
Location: Layton, Utah, USA.
Years in business: 19
Best year yet: 2017
Worst year yet: 2008
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
Eddie Buckley: We were freaking out a bit because we were uncertain if they would let us stay open and also worried people would just start killing over in the streets.
Did you take any action from the start or were you thinking this would be over in a few weeks?
Eddie Buckley: We took action pretty much right away. I have a friend, Sharon Cook, that works for the State of Utah. Sharon gave me a bit of a heads up on how to protect ourselves, our customers,
Shop name: Kings Rideshop
Location: Cathedral City, California
Years in business: 17 years as of May 2021
Best year yet: Financially 2020…riding I peaked a while back
Worst year yet: I fucked my shoulder up bad in ’98 I think. Financially.. like 2011? A few years were pretty fucked up.
What were your first thoughts on Covid-19 when it hit?
James Colella: I remember thinking it was going to get interesting, I was trying to think how I could make business still work and I had KR masks made really early, I think ordering them late February but as a joke, within a couple weeks people were lined up outside the shop waiting in the morning to buy one.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.