Local Bike Co-op Helps Storm-Ravaged Bicycle Thrift Shop in Asheville
Alexandria’s Velocity Bicycle Cooperative Gives Back to a Brother Organization
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Velocity Bicycle Cooperative, a community-based and volunteer-run bicycle co-op at 2111 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, recently raised over $2,000 to help The Bicycle Thrift Shop, a similar nonprofit in Asheville, North Carolina.
Like Velocity, the North Carolina bike shop refurbishes donated bikes, parts, and gear and sells restored bikes to the general public at lower costs than (almost) anywhere else. Proceeds fund youth cycling programs, greenways, and other cycling-related activities in and around Western North Carolina. Both places share the mission of providing cycling access for youth, families, and individuals who would not otherwise have that opportunity.
“Flooding destroyed the building that was home to The Bicycle Thrift Shop,” said Stephen Janes, who founded the North Carolina bike thrift store 13 years ago. “Most of the inventory, tools, etc., was washed away, [We] are currently looking for another location in town.”
Velocity realized it could have been in the same situation had the hurricane spun differently. It motivated the Alexandria bike shop to run a 50% off sale to raise some cash for the organization so much like itself. “We understand the situation these guys are in down there,” said Marty Devine, a longtime supporter and Velocity Bicycle Coop board member. “People are digging bikes out of the mud to get around.”
Many roads in the mountains around Asheville are still impassable, and often, the washed-away streets make car travel impossible. “But there’s still enough pavement for cyclists to get through!” Devine remarked.
It’s not too late to help. The North Carolina Bicycle Thrift Shop is still adrift and eager to return to business to help meet the area’s transportation needs. “I’m back to hoping and dreaming like I was years ago. I would love to reopen the shop—somewhere, somehow,” says Janes.
Visit Velocity Bicycle Shop in Alexandria to drop off a donation, or go directly to gofundme.com/f/help-stephen-reopen-the-bicycle-thrift-shop to help the thrift shop reach its $25,000 goal.
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