ARLINGTON — With work continuing on Centennial Trail, Stanwood business owner Mark Everett saw an opportunity in Arlington.
Everett and his wife are co-owners of Stanwood Velo Sport, a bike shop that’s retained its name even as it’s moved to Arlington in time for a Feb. 15 grand opening. According to Everett, he kept the name because he wanted his Stanwood and Camano Island customers to remember him, but he closed up shop in Stanwood to reopen on 401 N. Olympic Ave. in Arlington because he hopes to fill an unserved need.
“The ongoing development of Centennial Trail has made Arlington a destination town for bicyclists,” Everett said. “This was a town with a bike path but no bike shop. One of my Arlington customers called me up a while ago and asked if I’d ever considered setting up shop in Arlington. Stanwood doesn’t have any bike path developments, but Arlington is close enough to Stanwood and Camano Island that the people who saw me there can still come here.”
In addition to selling a variety of bicycles, bike parts and other cycling equipment, Everett and his staff offer free consultations about bicycling to help potential customers figure out how they want to approach it.
“We consult them on the condition of their bikes and ask them how they’re using their bikes, so that we can help them optimize their bicycling experience,” Everett said. “My customers tell me that they come to my shop because of the care and service they receive from us. Each purchase is tailored to suit the needs and experiences of that customer. We discover who they are as a person, so we can give them the right kind of tools for what they want to do, and we take care of them like family.”
As far as Everett is concerned, both the recreational and fitness aspects of bicycling benefit not only the cyclists themselves, but also their community as a whole.
“I’m really selling a lifestyle here,” Everett said. “Being healthy is its own reward, and it makes things go smoother for everyone. Riding the right bike allows you to have fun in a safe environment, and cycling enthusiasts pass through towns just like Arlington, looking for places they can get good service.”
A week before his Arlington opening, Everett put out the call for young bike riders to take part in a “bunny-hop” contest on the street outside of his shop, where young riders bounced their bikes as high as they could over hurdles.
“It gave me a chance to meet kids in town, and them a chance to relate to each other by showing off,” Everett said. “I want my shop to become a hub for the community.”
For more information, log onto stanwoodvelosport.com, e-mail stanwoodvelosport@yahoo.com or call Everett at 360-629-6415. Stanwood Velo Sport is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shop is closed Saturdays.
