EnSelle, a bike shop that focuses exclusively on road bikes, will close its doors at the end of this year.
EnSelle was founded by Jask Liskear in 1998 and has built a strong niche as “the shop for connoisseurs of fine road bikes.” Liskear is a dealer for BMC and Land Shark bikes and his shop (located just off SW Macadam Blvd) is officially certified for repairs by Campagnolo and Shimano. In addition to the latest and greatest bikes, EnSelle is full of classic memorabilia of the sport he loves.
Liskear announced the big news via a customer email sent out today at noon:
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“WOW…. what an adventure! I opened EnSelle in June of 1998 and haven’t looked back. In those years, I have built countless custom bikes, wheels, fixed too many flats to count and loved the business for all these years. Best of all I have met and gained hundreds of customers who have turned into friends. What a Joy!
But alas, after all these years I want to ride my bike more! I want to head to the hills with Robin, do extended credit card touring, and see Oregon! My love of bikes is why I started EnSelle in the first place and now it is time to close up the shop and RIDE!
Starting November 28th, 2014 (Friday) Everything is 40% off. Everything goes. I will sell off all my tools, fixtures, selected clothing, memorabilia jerseys, pictures, cycling caps, fitting equipment, spokes, hubs, rims, components. Everything in the store goes and all at 40% off. Cash or credit card accepted.
Thank you for supporting me for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without YOU.”
(Photo: Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway)
Jack looks forward to seeing all his loyal customers in these final weeks. The shop’s last day will be December 31st.
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Thanks for all the support, Jack. Best wishes on your new endeavors.
Stoked for you to get more time to ride Jack. Best of luck and we will see you around!
Thanks to Jack I know how to glue Tubulars, when I was a youngster he not only insisted I do it myself… he made me. Thanks Jack! Enjoy the riding.
Jack, one of the many cycling “treasures” Portland has been gifted over the years. Best of luck Jack and thanks for the many times you “saved” me…from my own wrench!
This is a really tough niche to succeed in. I have talked to high-end bike shop owners and they are all trying to find ways to make a living in the new age of Internet commerce. Some have started selling on-line; some have opened up discount stores right next to their original stores. Talk to them about paying close to the same price wholesale for what bikes are going for out-the-door on-line and you will see what a challenge it is.
Jack succeeded very well. His decision was based on quality of life and enjoying future years of riding his bike and spending time with his wife. He didn’t dabble in commodity bikes or bike parts like the larger “mainstream” shops in town, he had a great niche, serviced it extremely well and reaped the benefits for a lot of years. Other bigger, brighter, better located and over-inventoried bike shops came and went over the years, meanwhile Jack/En Selle was doing his thing in a small shop, in an out of the way location. Jack was a wonderful “throw-back” to the age of impeccable customer service, an amazing knowledge base and a non-used car salesman sales floor attitude. There are lots of shops like his around the US that survive and prosper just fine without losing sleep worried about discount shops, on-line business or stocking their floors with the “flavor of the season” bikes/brands and components. Jack never deviated from what he set out to do or be nor did he chase the ever changing fads of the cycling industry, hence the reason he sold custom bikes/frame as opposed to the mega-popular/usual brands.
I guess I could have been more specific. Financial success is tough in this business. If EnSelle was profitable, Jack could have sold the business for some multiple of his net profits. Now, maybe he decided not to do that for some personal reason, but most people would not leave ten’s of thousands of dollars on the table.
Oregon bike builder Landshark will be very hard pressed to find as good a seller and representative as Jack–hope he gets to put a lot of miles on his own!
I worked for Seattle Bike Supply in the late 90s-early 2000s and Jack was one of my accounts. Jack didn’t buy much from us because we didn’t carry the higher end stuff he worked with. But I still liked talking to him and made sure to visit him every month because I liked being in his shop. He truly is one of those “old world” bike shop guys whose impeccable knowledge and service speaks for itself – no advertising needed. I’d trust him with any repair on any bike. Happy trails to you, Jack!