(Photos © J. Maus)
When 30-year-old Edwin Skaug realized convenience stores aren’t exactly convenient for people who ride bikes (they typically lack bike parking and they don’t sell any bike essentials), he figured he’d open one up that was. The result is his new business — A Convenient Cycle.
are on your list.
Edwin’s new shop — which officially opens for business this morning on 833 SE Main — is part bike shop, part convenience store. To Edwin, it’s all about helping out fellow riders. He sees the shop as a “pit stop” where folks can roll in, borrow a tool, grab a set of brake pads and a bag of chips, and quickly be on their way.
Alongside a new set of tires and other bike accessories, you’ll find toilet paper, batteries, toothpaste, and munchies — all neatly tucked into a compact, 300 square foot space.
In addition to basic bike commuting and personal hygiene essentials, Edwin is an ace mechanic who can also do bike repairs and tune-ups (but only by appointment, since space is limited).
Edwin has lived in Southeast Portland for five years (he’s from Spokane originally) and according to him, the original idea was to try and get a grant to install more bike parking at local convenience stores, but it seems his entrepreneurial spark got the best of him.
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Edwin will eventually take his store on the road.
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This little store isn’t the only thing in Edwin’s plans. He’s also got an old Dutch cargo trike which he plans to load up with cycling sundries (while his girlfriend minds the store) and set up shop at various high bike traffic locations (unfortunately his plans are on hold while he works out permitting issues with the City of Portland).
A Convenient Cycle is located in the Activespace Building at 833 SE Main Street and will be open Monday-Friday from 7:00am to 4:30pm.
Edwin says he’ll be serving free morning coffee for the next few weeks, so stop on by and pay him visit.