Michigan | Hometown Bicycles

National Bike Month, Do It for Dan & One Hoppin’ Service Shop

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Shaun

Promotional Materials | League of American Bicyclists

“May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.”
~ The League of American Bicyclists

With the Michigan stay-at-home order changing to allow bicycle service, we’re happy that we can be there for you. Somehow, this National Bike Month feels a little more special, doesn’t it?

Do It for Dan

April 25, 2020 was the anniversary of the tragic cycling accident that took Dan Horal’s life. His memory lives on for all of us at Hometown, his family, and friends, and a tight-knit cycling community that thinks of him often. The Do It For Dan Memorial Ride that would have been scheduled for May 3, 2020 has been moved to September 27, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please like the Do It For Dan Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all of the happenings, to help us celebrate Dan, and to help honor his memory.

Cars lined up down Grand River to get bicycle service at Hometown Bicycles during the COVID-19 pandemic

One Hoppin’ Service Shop

We’ve officially been open 2 days for service operations, and what a whirlwind! We’ve brought in over 200 bicycles, 130 of which are tune-ups. Every day, we’re making subtle changes to our procedures to be more efficient. Thanks for hanging with us while we figure this out.

To speed up the process, we do have a few requests:

1) FOLLOW THE SIGNS: When you come to the shop, you will see signs in the parking lot directing you where to go, depending on whether you’re here for service or retail.

2) SERVICE CUSTOMERS: Please fill out, then print THIS SERVICE REQUEST FORM prior to coming out to the shop, and bring it with you to drop-off.

3) RETAIL CUSTOMERS: Please park against the concrete wall – one of our sales crew will come out and greet you.

4) NEW BIKE CUSTOMERS: If you are interested in purchasing a bicycle, in addition to Step 3 (above), please call ahead and schedule an appointment with Andy: (810) 225-2441, Dial 1.

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:

Hometown Bicycles GoFundMe button - Customer, Company, Community, Industry

Stay active. Stay strong. Stay pedaling, Hometownies.

With continuing love and gratitude,

Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Crew

Hometown-to-You Ordering is Still LIVE!

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 1 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.

Easy peasy!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, COVID-19, cycling, cyclists, Do It for Dan Memorial Ride, gofundme, Hometown Bicycles, livingston county, Michigan, National Bike Month, Service Request Form, stay-at-home order, The Horal Family, The League of American Bicyclists, tune ups, tune-ups, tuneups | Leave a comment »

BUSINESS AS NORMAL(ish) COVID-19 Update

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Shaun

Back in the Saddle Again…

We’ve always been a service shop first. Well, guess what… it’s game on!!

With Governor Whitmer’s recent update to the “shelter-in-place” order – and most specifically Order #10, Item (b) – bicycle repair has been deemed an “essential service.” We always knew it was!

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.

SHOP HOURS
MON & THU-SUN 10am-5pm
Closed TUE & WED

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…

Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle Again YouTube video

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:

Stay active. Stay strong. Stay pedaling, Hometownies.

With continuing love and gratitude,

Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Crew

Hometown-to-You Ordering is Still LIVE!

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.

Easy peasy!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle Again, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike shop, bikes, Brighton, COVID-19 Update, cycling, cyclists, emergency bicycle repair, emergency bike repair, gofundme, Governor Whitmer, Hometown Bicycles, Jeff Buerman, League of Michigan Bicyclists, livingston county, Michigan, QBP, shop hours | Leave a comment »

Hometown Bicycles Company Update

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Shaun

Dear Hometown Family,

We are overwhelmed. Humbled.

Your response to our recent shutdown, and subsequent GoFundMe campaign launch, is completely blowing us away.

We’ve also been awash in calls, texts, emails, and Facebook messages – customers offering love, wisdom, resources, and manpower to see that we get through this together. We can’t thank you enough for your help in ensuring Hometown’s survival.

Among the communications have been some great questions that we would love to answer for all of our amazing supporters:

Q: Are you aware of the small business grant and loan programs being offered?

A: We are, and are already applying!

But, understand that there is a virtual flood of businesses doing the same, and many require far more capital than ourselves. And when it comes to economic value to our State and Country, we understand that our bicycle shop can’t hold a candle to a critical parts manufacturer for the auto industry.

We can’t afford the risk of putting all our eggs in one basket… especially when every impacted business owner in America is using the very same basket.

Hometown has always been about community, people, relationships. It isn’t business lenders and government entities that adorn our VIP wall. YOU are the ones who helped us grow into the shop we are today. This business model has carried us successfully through the good AND the bad. It’s more important now than ever that we stay true to who we are.

At the end of the day, we have far greater faith in our customers. The government sees us as an EIN and a tax payment, but Hometownies see the value that we add to their life and our community.

Q: Why did you reduce your goal amount from $350,000 to $228,000?

A: These last few days have been an absolute whirlwind – planning, researching, analyzing, making the necessary arrangements to shut down our company until an end date that’s a moving target. It’s been stressful, and decisions had to be made quickly.

But things are looking up! Now that we’ve had those extra few days to dive further into necessary next steps, legislation changes are opening up more grant and loan options for micro businesses like ours. We’ve communicated with vendors, and arranged extended terms to buy ourselves critical time. And we’ve microscopically analyzed our business to see how we can operate on a much leaner level – to really stretch every penny.

With all of these new considerations, we feel confident in reducing our ask. For those of you who have already contributed, know that your dollars are now making that much more of an impact toward Hometown’s chance for success – thank you!

Q: Can I support you through purchasing Gift Certificates or pre-purchasing products?

A: We did consider this option. However, we came to the realization that, because the funds we are seeking are going toward operating expenses, not inventory, thousands of dollars in Gift Certificates and pre-purchased product could actually put our business in danger upon reopening. After the dust settles, there may not be enough surplus left to fulfill the obligation of these certificates and pre-purchases. This would be a true disservice to our customers.

So, while we love your generosity and ingenuity, might we instead suggest the option below…?

Q: Can I still purchase bicycle product from you during this shutdown?

A: You bet! We’ve connected with our primary parts and accessories supplier, and are currently working on a retail-to-home option. Please stay tuned for the details!

Q: So, what do I do if I need an emergency repair during this shutdown?

A: Reach out to us on Facebook. We might have the resources you need, or be able to make recommendations that can keep you safe, and keep you riding.

Also, we’ve created a Tube Table outside our shop’s front door – free inner tubes and a bike pump for emergency use. Share the love!

Q: How can I help??

A: If you believe in Hometown, what we do, and why we do it… go ride your bike, stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected, and…

Please give what you can and share our GoFundMe with your family, friends, neighbors, and community!

Stay active. Stay strong. Stay pedaling, Hometownies.

With continuing love and gratitude,

Shaun, Dawn & Your Hometown Crew

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle shop, bicycles, bike shop, bikes, COVID-19 Shutdown, COVID-19 Update, gofundme, grants and loans, Hometown Bicycles, livingston county, Michigan | Leave a comment »

COVID-19 SHUTDOWN: Hometown Breaking News

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Shaun

Dear Hometown Family,

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:

Screenshot of Channel 7 news - Quote from Shaun Bhajan of Hometown Bicycles on COVID-19 essential bike repairs

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…