Source: Ryan Petersen
Recently, Sharpey’s Cycle in North Burnaby, BC, had been “taken over” by Jimi and Nicole Evans-Brockett, (and their son Rider). Some of you know that Michelle and I hold this bike shop very near and dear to our hearts as we were previous employees and had considered buying the shop ourselves.
When I walked into the store last summer I was thrilled to see that Jimi and Nicole had done everything Michelle and I had ever planned to do in terms of the ultimate “extreme shop makeover”. Speaking with Jimi for the first time last summer, I immediately sensed he understood the potential of the 30 year old shop. And if last weekends “Season Start-Up Party” was any indication of what’s to come, local riders are in for a treat!
Sharpey’s Cycle has been selected as the Muddbunnies Riding Club’s Burnaby sponsoring shop. Members will receive special discounts, (details to be released in the club newsletter) and now have a local shop to go to. Congratulations Jimi and Nicole!
Wanna know more about this dynamic duo? Read on!
1. Can you give us a history of the shop?
Sharpey’s Cycles has been part of the Burnaby community for over 30 years. It started off as a lawnmower and bike shop back in the day but I’m guessing the need for the two combined items slowly died out and it became the thriving bike shop it is today.
2.Tell us about yourselves. What is you and your wife’s background in the bike industry? What is your personal history?
Ummm where do I start, Both my wife and I spent most of our prior working years in business managment and development in a variety of industries. Nicole and I met in Whistler where we were both taking a career break to enjoy our passions of snowboarding and biking and together always dreamed of the day we owned our own Bike shop…(and North Americas largest indoor bike park)….well we have accomplished one of these so far so watch out! We then had our son Ryder (now 4) who at 2 was asking for bike movies instead of cartoons and vowed to grow up to be Ryan Leech, we knew that our futures were going to be in the Bike industry. We all share a passion for Downhill, Freeride and Cross Country riding and are now learning a whole new set of skills with BMX and Road Racing. Watch for Ryder kickin’ it with some flatland BMX the next time you are in the store!
3.How and why did you take on such a huge project of completely refacing and renovating Sharpey’s?
Well to be real… there was no way we could run it the way it was. We saw the potential and thought, if we are going to do it lets do it right!. A good saying kept coming to us..â€If you build it, they will come†lol Field of Dreams I think. We’ve both had an unwavering belief on the potential and thanks to the help of good friends we have been able to turn the shop around in a very short time. A special thank you to Jeremy, Phil and John….our bike Shop angels!
4.Why did you pick Sharpey’s? What was special about this shop?
You know about four years ago we began talking about owning our own bike shop, initially this was when we were in Whistler which was unrealistic as the market was saturated and rents very high. After going to the UK for 12 months we moved to Vancouver and then settled in North Burnaby which immediately felt like home. We drove back and forth past Sharpey’s day after day and then when we saw the former owner advertising to sell we just knew right then that this was it, both our permanent home and business location.
The shop is in such a fantastic location right at the bottom of Burnaby Mountain, on a main traffic artery into Vancouver and just up the road from the Veledrome and new skills park that Jay Hoots is building with the city of Burnaby. It also has a great local community and very loyal customer base. We could see through the state of the older building and appearance of the shop and had a vision of what an amazing bike shop Sharpey’s could be. In fact before we purchased the shop we took a picture of the shop and then I drew my vision of what I pictured the shop could be, we placed those pictures on our wall at home and everyday worked towards reaching that goal and the result is the Sharpey’s Cycles of today.
5.What products do you sell and who do you cater to?
We range from a great selection of kids bikes, comfort bikes, road, hybrid, cruisers, trail, freeride, dirt jumpers, entry level mountain bike all the way up to high end DH and all mountain bikes like the Fluid LT. We also have a great selection of parts and accessories from hydration pack, fenders, grips seat posts basically everything you can imagine. If we don’t have it in, we get it in. We are here to give the customer exactly what they need.
We cater to the Sunday cruiser down by the beach, the hardworking commuter, the BMX and dirt jump crowd, the hardcore DH’er as well as the mom and pop’s who want to strap their child to the back of their bike and go for a ride.
6.How do you give back to your community? Are you involved with any trail associations and riding clubs?
Right now we are building relationships with Burnaby Mountain Bike Association (we are a sponsor) The Burnaby Veladrome (We are a sponsor), Muddbunnies of course and we are joining Obsession in their mission for Bikes for Tykes.
7.What does the year ahead look like at the shop?
Wow well if last weekend was anything to go by (when it was dry and sunny) I think it will be a fantastic year. We also have 1500 sq ft in the basement that we plan on developing into a bike service area and more retail space.
8.What makes your shop unique and why should we shop at your store?
I think we are unique in the fact that we took over the store because of the passion we have for biking and our fantastic customer service and that really show’s when you come in. We are a no pressure location and if all you want to do is come in and catch up on the latest info, fill your water bottle and watch some of the latest biking movies on one of our four flat screen TV’s then you are more than welcome. We are also a family run business that really listen to the needs of our customers and want to integrate ourselves into the community.
9. Last words?
I want to take this opportunity to thank a few key people in helping us achieve our dreams and goals. I want to personally thank Phil Mahoney for bugging me to go biking when all I was interested in was boarding, you sparked the fire mate. I want to thank my mate Clint for everything he has taught me and for guiding me when I needed it. Thank you from the bottom of my low skill level to Jeremy Smith, for all the late nights, sweat and laughter and all the hard work he’s put into the shop (thats a good friend) Thank you to Jeff Nyhaug (Our Norco rep). The support him and Norco have given Sharpey’s cycles is nothing short of amazing. I also want to thank all my other suppliers and our customers as without them we could not live the dream we are doing.
Most of all I want to thank Nicole my wife for putting up with the 16hr days, late nights. For looking after me and bringing me food, coffees and my wonderful son Ryder to see me when I least expect it. – Jimi
Don’t take my word for it, visit the shop yourself:
Tel: 604 298 9930
Direct 604 551 7959
www.sharpeyscycles.com
6661 Hasting St
Burnaby BC
V5B 1S1
