Want to buy a bike shop? How about one rooted in a north Portland neighborhood that’s already notched 12 years in business and serves an 18-mile swath of the city without any brick-and-mortar competition?
About a month ago I shared news that Kenton Cycle Repair on North Kilpatrick Street was closing forever. Now owner Rich Walker wants to sell the business and he’s looking for the right fit to take over the reins.
“This isn’t just a business opportunity,” reads a press release from Walker. “It’s a chance to step into a respected role within Portland’s cycling community.” And if you’re wondering how you can afford a new business with a great location (along the N Denver Ave commercial district in Kenton), Walker says he’s prioritizing the shop’s future over traditional valuation methods. “I’ve set an asking price designed to ensure the business thrives under new stewardship.”
Walker says he’ll work with the new owner to make sure it’s a smooth transition. “Let’s work together to ensure this iconic shop continues to serve Portland’s cycling community for years to come,” he says.
Check out the press release below for more information:
For over 12 years, Kenton Cycle Repair has been a cornerstone of Portland’s Kenton District, beloved by local cyclists for its expert service, welcoming vibe, and commitment to community. Now, this cherished neighborhood bike shop is looking for a new owner to carry on its legacy.
For those unable to take on the full business, individual assets, including inventory, tools, and fixtures, are also available for purchase—a chance to own a piece of Portland cycling history.
Why Kenton Cycle Repair?
Kenton Cycle Repair isn’t just a bike shop; it’s a trusted hub for everyone from commuters and weekend warriors to passionate cycling enthusiasts. Over the years, it has built a loyal customer base and a reputation for exceptional service, all from its prime location in the bustling Kenton District.
Opportunities for a New Owner:
Taking over Kenton Cycle Repair is more than acquiring a turnkey business. It’s a chance to grow within Portland’s thriving bike culture:
- Loyal Customers: Tap into a community that already knows and loves the shop.
- Prime Location: Located in the heart of Kenton, with access to North Portland neighborhoods like St. Johns and even nearby Vancouver, WA.
- Room to Grow: Expand services, add retail options, or host cycling events to deepen community ties and grow revenue.
For Buyers Interested in Assets Only:
If a new owner for the shop isn’t secured, the following items will be sold individually:
- Inventory: A mix of new and used parts and accessories, ready for resale.
- Professional Tools: High-quality equipment used for all types of bicycle repair.
- Fixtures: Sturdy shelving, counters, and workbenches perfect for a bike shop or similar operation.
This is a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs or existing bike shops to bolster their services or inventory.
A Call to Portland’s Cycling Community
Kenton Cycle Repair is more than a business—it’s a vital part of the local cycling culture. Whether you’re ready to take the reins of a well-loved shop or interested in its high-quality tools and inventory, this is your chance to be part of something meaningful.
If you’re interested, reach out to Rich via email at info@kentoncyclepdx.com. Deadline for inquiries is December 8th, 2024, so act fast if you’ve got questions or interest.
Thanks for reading.
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Best of Luck Rich (and to any future owner)…Kenton was my “Plan B” option for anything my “local” could not do or do well.
Plus Kenton is a great location to wait for a minor bike repair…given the watering holes, shops AND library.
Rich rescued my stolen bike at this shop. Ran the serial number when someone came in to sell it, and got it back to me. Also was extremely helpful and knowledgeable in finding parts. Will be missing this bike shop and his work.
Good luck to anyone taking on a commuter focused bike business in the current market. Workers are staying home, more so in Portland than in almost any other market. Furthermore anyone buying a bike is likely purchasing an electric model that’s intended to be obsolete before it requires its first major repair… if you’re able to acquire the proprietary parts, tools and manuals required to fix it in the first place. Never imagined this is where we’d be in 2025 but it’s reality.
Nomad Cycles is doing cool stuff: https://www.nomadcyclespdx.com/ probably room for a few more shops like that in the city, although I imagine it’s fairly different from how a traditional bike shop would be run.
I hope someone is interested and has the financing!
Ten to 15 years ago, when Kenton Cycle Repair and so many other owner-operator bike shops started up in Portland, there was a lot of retail space available for low rent, housing could be had for low rent, and there were plenty of young talented people who wanted to try running their own business.
I image that part of the problem that has faced these shops is that there isn’t much profit to be made running a bike shop, and you need to work pretty hard just to make a profit.
I hope that there are still motivated individuals in this city who want to try their hand at a business like this. And even if they move on to other businesses/jobs after ten years, hopefully there will be a fresh new generation ready to try again in 2034.
And even though United Bicycle Institute no longer offers mechanic training classes here in Portland, their location in Ashland is still pretty close.
For the rest of us, remember, it’s always a good idea to support your local owner-operator bike shop. Buy stuff you need there. Send in your bike regularly for an overhaul. Get your chain cleaned, bearings lubricated, brake shoes replaced. Bring them baked goods or beer.
Winter is a great time to do this — if more people brought their bikes in in the winter, it would be easier to keep on staff year round. Or to feed themselves if they are doing the work themselves.
Ted Buehler
When I was leaving Portland 9 years ago, I remember reading a story about how some of the street corner chop-shop operations were able to get parts at wholesale prices from bottom-feeder distributors like Midway, KHS, and JBI – all they needed was a legitimate business address like a UPS Store drop off location. Now that I help run a local community bike shop here in NC, I’ve met many other home/work bike operations (“shop” is too strong a term, they are more like buying clubs) who also get their parts from Midway, KHS, and JBI. Even Quality now does business with community bike shops and buying clubs, something they tried to avoid in past years. As labor costs rise in high-end communities like Portland, the Bay Area, Seattle, and even on the East Coast, I’m guessing that all these home-based and chop-shop operations are starting to really cut into the profits of bricks-and-mortar shops, forcing them to go under or switch to more lucrative sidelines.
They should donate it to P;ear and use it as a major tax write off and help homeless and at risk young people get work experience.