Still having to follow the social distancing and CDC guidelines, we’re going to do a soft reopening, experimenting with a few new procedures, so please bear with us as we figure this out.
We’ve been here for you in the past. We’re here for you now.
SERVICE SHOP Our service shop is fully operational beginning THIS MONDAY, April 27. We can handle all of your service needs, including tune-ups and repairs. BUSINESS AS NORMAL.
RETAIL SHOP Our retail shop is accessible via phone ordering, curbside pick-up, and delivery. Our mission is to keep you safe.
We’d like to thank the League of Michigan Bicyclists for their efforts and their advocacy on behalf of all bicycle shops and cyclists. Special thanks also goes to Jeff Buerman, our QBP rep, for keeping everyone in the loop; he definitely went above and beyond.
A little celebration: This was the song that popped into Shaun’s head when he heard the update…
Emergency Bike Repair UPDATE
In the past 3 weeks of offering free emergency bicycle repair, we worked on 105 bicycles that would otherwise have been unrideable. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to keep you rolling!
GoFundMe: We Still Need YOU
We’re not in the clear yet! Although the April 24th Executive Order update gives us an opportunity to generate income going forward, resources continue to be limited.
With this change, we are thankful to be able to lower our ask. But because of the ongoing uncertainty, we are still looking for your support:
We are SO excited to announce that, in partnership with awesome super-vendor QBP, you can now order bicycle parts and accessories from Hometown that will get shipped to your house in as quick as 2 days.
It’s really simple:
STEP 1: Call the shop between 10am-5pm on Monday, or Thursday through Sunday – (810) 225-2441.
STEP 2: Dial 2 to connect with Andy, our sales lead. He’ll be able to answer questions and take your order.
STEP 3: Let him know what you want, and it will be shipped directly to you.
You know our stance on the essential nature of bicycle service during this challenging time. Many of you saw us leading the charge on a recent Hometown interview with Channel 7 news, where Shaun was quoted as saying:
Above: Screenshot from Channel 7 news story – CLICK HERE to watch
In an Executive Order that encourages citizens “To engage in outdoor activity, including walking, hiking, running, cycling…,” the status of bicycle repair as an essential business was left unclear. We believe – along with the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB), industry partners, and other State governments – that bicycle repair is necessary.
We are so proud of our Crew that, wherever able, individually elected to help man the shop, and support our community’s bicycle recreation and transportation needs.
But we have just now received word on the latest round of Michigan’s “essential business” clarifications, and Bicycle Repair DID NOT make the list.
From our wonderful contacts at LMB:
“… while we have asked for a change in state policy to designate bicycle repair as a critical infrastructure service, that is NOT the current policy. Bicycle repair is NOT currently listed as an “essential service”… Violating the Order may be extremely detrimental to the future of your business. It may also put our efforts in jeopardy.”
With the looming threat of fines and revoked business licenses, regretfully,
WE MUST IMMEDIATELY CLOSE OUR DOORS.
For all of you with service bikes at the shop, we will be contacting you within the next few days.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message us on Facebook, which we will continue to monitor through the shutdown.
As much as we wish to continue supporting your bicycle repair needs during this crisis, we respect and support the decisions being made for the best interest of all.
This is where we need your help.
We are a seasonal business, now being thrown into a “second winter” that we simply cannot afford. Knowing that the coming 6 months will be the biggest hill Hometown ever climbed…
(Above: Shaun and Dawn Bhajan, pictured with an incredible group of fellow LMB Awards Shop of the Year Finalists, at the Detroit Velodrome. That’s a lot of awesome in one place!)
We all know Hometown is more than just a shop. In fact, sometimes you know that even better than we do, and we are eternally grateful that you never let us forget it! Hometown is a community, a philosophy, and a movement. Our Crew, our Team and, most definitely, our customers are both the core of, and the messengers for, that culture.
Your involvement, your patronage, your loyalty, and your referrals have expanded the scope and reach of EVERYTHING Hometown has ever created, including the impact we so enjoy making in both our local community and the cycling community at large.
Most recently, that impact included one of our proudest achievements – the creation of the annual Do It for Dan Memorial Ride, honoring a beloved, local rider who was struck and killed by a motorist while cycling at Island Lake. Over 550 of you turned that Ride into a powerful message to motorists and cyclists everywhere to always stay alert and to share the road safely.
It’s also worth mentioning that this award says “SHOP of the Year,” not “BIKE SHOP OWNERS of the Year” or “SHOP INDIVIDUAL of the Year”. And, of course, what is a “shop”? It’s the amplified total of all the individuals who support it.
Shop of the Year, Hometownies. What a win for us all!
With love and appreciation,
Shaun & Dawn
4th Annual Chili Cook-Off: Great Bowls of Fire!
Saturday, November 9th from 4-7 PM
It’s almost time for Iceman… do you know what that means?
It’s time to get your recipes simmering for our 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off! Our annual tradition is always the weekend following Iceman, and we are stoked to consume copious amounts of chili!
Enter your mild, medium or spicy deliciousness to win awards and perhaps even take home the very special –and kinda gaudy, but that’s what makes it fabulous — traveling trophy. And you get a whole year to share the bragging rights of being the 2019 Hometown Bicycles “Great Bowls of Fire” Chili Cook-Off WINNER!
Stir up your favorite recipe and drop it off at the shop by 4 PM. People’s Choice judging will begin at 5 PM, and the winner will be announced by 7 PM. Be sure to bring your garnishes and serving utensils, and your recipe ingredients written on an index card for allergy-conscious diners.
When you sign up, don’t let us know what kind of chili you’re bringing. It needs to be a surprise! We are all about unbiased voting, folks!
FAT BIKE PRE-RIDE! Prior to the chili eatin’, Team Hometown Co-Captain Mike Dyer will be leading a Fat Bike Ride, so stay tuned for details. That way, you can burn off a ton of calories before you add them all back!
Our Team Totally Rocks… How Cool is THIS?
On Sunday, October 20th, several Team Hometown members kicked off the Detroit Free Press Marathon as lead cyclists!
Known lovingly as the “Freep”, this epic event has been going strong since 1978. Runners from all over the world have traveled to Detroit to take part — and it has become an event that encompasses people from all walks of life, not just elite runners.
We couldn’t be more proud of these guys for representing Hometown in this amazing way.
Pictured above (left to right): John Wyatt, Ron Szumski, Tom Hermann, Dennis Doherty, Doug Lapp, and Team Hometown Co-Captain and Mobile Rhythm Entertainment Sponsor Joe Ostervik.
Kudos to John Harrington for his first place podium at Custer’s Last Stand on Saturday, October 5th in Augusta, MI.
This all-volunteer benefit event is sponsored by the Join the Fight of Battle Creek, in collaboration with the YWCA of Kalamazoo, to raise awareness of human trafficking and other types of domestic violence. Way to go, John!
Entrepreneurship Event: MARKETING!
Who: Anyone interested in learning about Marketing! Business owners, entrepreneurs, start-up endeavors,
students… come one, come all… men and women, all ages!
What: Informative and FUN evening on a hot topic!
Tues, December 10 from 6-8:30 PM
Where: Hometown Bicycles! We will be closing the shop early to focus on this event!
Why: Because your Hometown ladies, Dawn and Leslie, really love supporting entrepreneurs!
Coming in a future email: Our fantastic lineup of speakers and the link to sign up! Keep your eyes peeled!
Goodbye, Summer Shop Rides… See you next year! Our weekly shop rides will be saying goodbye at the end of October. Stay tuned for pop-up rides and fat tire rides as weather permits. The best way to stay informed is via our Facebook page. Make sure to like and follow to get all the latest updates.
Thanks for a wonderful spring/summer season riding with us!
SPORT THOSE HOMETOWN COLORS, AND JOIN SHAUN, DAWN AND YOUR FELLOW HOMETOWNIES on October 19th at theLexus Velodrome in Detroit, where the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) will recognize the outstanding contributions of cycling advocates from around the state with a night of exciting indoor cycling races.
The 64,000 square foot, $4 million Lexus Velodrome is the most talked-about venue in the U.S. cycling world – and it’s right here in Michigan!
HOMETOWN BICYCLES IS A FINALIST FOR LMB’S SHOP OF THE YEAR AWARD!
Winners will be announced during a pre-race reception at 5 PM (heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar), followed by the Velodrome’s Saturday Night Rumbles at 7:30 PM.
It’s almost time for Iceman… do you know what that means?
It’s time to get your recipes simmering for our 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off! Our annual tradition is always the week following Iceman and we are stoked to consume copious amounts of chili with you!
SAVE THE DATE! On Saturday, November 9th, you can enter to win one very special (and kinda gaudy, but that’s what makes it fabulous) traveling trophy. Take home the bragging rights of being the 2019 Hometown Bicycles “Great Bowls of Fire” Chili Cook-Off WINNER!
Stir up your favorite recipe and drop it off at the shop by 4 PM. People’s Choice judging will begin at 5 PM, and the winner will be announced by 7 PM.
We are also planning a pre-chili Fat Bike Ride, so stay tuned for details. That way, you can burn off a ton of calories before you add them all back!
Entrepreneurship Event: MARKETING! Tuesday, December 10 from 6-8:30 PM
Dawn & Leslie are at it again! We sure love planning entrepreneurship events. This one will be for both men and women, all ages, on a topic that’s HOT — Marketing! Look for event details and sign-up SOON!
