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Cyclus Bike Shop closing, retailer Linger Rose moving in
06/24/2013 9:47 AM by John M
Richmond BizSense has a profile of the new retailer coming to Marshall Street:
Linger Rose, an online store that peddles a selection of designer purses, has leased a storefront at 2709 E. Marshall St. […] The company will renovate the 900-square-foot space in September and expects to open by mid-October, Faye said.
Linger Rose will take over the space from Cyclus Bike Shop. Cyclus’s lease is ending, and the store will look for a new location when its doors close in August, according to owner Brett Eastman.
I’m gonna miss Cyclus. Brett, I hope that you find another good spot that works better for you, loved knowing that you were up here.
Good luck to Brett, Cyclus was a welcome addition to the neighborhood… unlike the new place, which doesn’t have a prayer. Linger Rose, also D.B.A. Loving Lemons, has already alienated the whole neighborhood by illegally slapping their unsightly & obnoxious advertising stickers on all sorts of public property (backs of stop signs, lamp posts, etc., etc.). Many, but not all, have now been scraped off, but does the proprietor really think that defacing our living spaces is a way to generate foot traffic?
This is really neat that Church Hill is getting some non-food based retail. Era Vintage, now a handbag store? Fun.
We’ll miss Cyclus!! Thanks to Brett for keeping our entire family on two wheels!
Brett we will miss you! Please find a new place soon!
I’m with Greta! How fun to have a purse shop!
I haven’t seen a single one of these stickers #2 mentions so they can’t be that prolific (I live in the vicinity and run by there frequently).
Also, perhaps #2 missed the part where it said this was an online retailer setting up a brick and mortar shop. That is the ONLY type of retail store that will thrive on that block IMO. However, it’s not one that I will frequent myself given that I am not into designer stuff all that much. I’m not sure that many Church hill residents would be.
Maybe if it’s not as profitable as they like they can get a SUP to sell beer and wine besides their handbags.
@#8. I like your idea, ray. Insulated designer handbags to carry out ice cold beers. This is going to be HUGE. I don’t even use a handbag, but am considering something that can accomodate a six-pack with style.
Excited for Linger Rose!
I’m sorry to see you leave The Hill, Brett.
Cyclus has a sign in their window saying they are being FORCED out for this new business because the building owner is the custom handbag woman’s mom. We don’t need bad attitudes like that in our neighborhood. Linger Rose should find their own spot instead of forcing out a business that greatly benefits this neighborhood. Shame on them.
Really, how sustainable is a handbag shop in the middle of a residential area, let alone Church Hill (even if they serve cold beer ;p )? Can you see the Short Pumpers or the CaryTowners driving all the way up here for a taste of urban handbaggery? It is too bad Cyclus has to go in such an ignominious manner. Maybe they can find another location nearby. I know of an empty Chinese restaurant and several garage-style buildings in the Fulton central commercial area. Fulton would love to have Cyclus as their go-to bike shop. Hint Hint. ALso, there is a BMX park nearby and lots of bicycle riders in the neighborhood.
Cyclus needs to be nicer to the kids with bikes. There are alot of kids that ride and they are notoriously rude and impatient with them. Kids have parents who will be loyal customers (afterall, they are the ones paying). My shop is ReCycles – they truly love biking, and focus on BMX. They are always kind and helpful and are not rude to customers, not matter their age.
Sad day to lose a bike shop on the Hill and the personal service of a community merchant. Please let us know where you relocate so we can bring our bikes there.
BTW I won’t be bying any saddlebags or other bags for my bike. JJ
From the Cyclus Facebook:
Dear Cyclusts,
Our landlord has decided not to renew our lease, to rent the space to her daughter. Cyclus will therefore close it’s inaugural store indefinitely on July 31st. We hope to relocate. Regardless, we thank you for making Church Hill a better place to live and bike. We apologize for the disruption in service, however long it lasts. We hope to see you around soon.
Thank You,
Brett Eastman
https://www.facebook.com/cyclusbikeshop/posts/10151581811168710
Based on a comment on the shop’s Facebook page, it sounds like there are two sides to the story. I don’t know either side, but I do when to pull up chair, make some popcorn, and watch some entertaining arguing…
This was posted by “Karen Kellman”
“If only it was that simple…. representing the landlord, I can report the actual FACTS that Cyclus has yet to report. First, we have supported Cyclus and have appreciated his tenancy along with his presence and value in Churchhill. In doing so, Brett has been allowed to stay in our space EVEN THOUGH he has refused to pay the annual increases as agreed in his lease for the last THREE years. In addition, does ANYONE remember the GOING OUT OF OUT BUSINESS SALE that Brett held last fall??? With more than a year left on his lease, Brett contacted me and announced that he had had it with his bike shop, was no longer making money, and wanted to do something else because he wanted to get married and have children and, at that time, he felt he could not accomplish his goals as the owner of this bike shop. . He gave me less than a TWO WEEKS notice that he was going out of business, closing his doors, and walking away from the remainder of his lease responsibility.”
Hmmm, something doesn’t add up here… this Karen person says Cyclus only gave them 2 weeks notice yet this CHPN post, announcing the switch in tenants, is dated June 24 and Cyclus is closing shop July 31; by my count, that’s 5 weeks notice not 2
As the owners and property mangers of the space currently occupied by Cyclus, we think it is time the facts be provided in lieu of the conjecture and half truths that have been listed on the CHPN. Brett, the owner of Cyclus, advised our office in the fall of 2012 that he had “had enough” and that he wanted to close his business as he was not making any money. He did not care about completing his lease or his obligations to his landlord – he was done. He wanted out and was closing his doors. At that time, we reminded Brett that his lease did not end until 2013 and, he, in turn, advised us that this was our problem as he was closing. We began the search for a new tenant while Brett prepared for his “going out of business sale”. Our daughter (who lives in Church Hill and has an Internet business) presented a solid business plan, found investors to make it happen, and requested the opportunity to rent the store. We thought this solution to be perfect and agreed to give her the opportunity to pursue her “bricks and mortar” dream while allowing Brett to close down on his terms. This also saved us the time and trouble of a court case and searching for a new tenant. Everyone would win! Unfortunately, after his “going out of business sale”, Brett changed his mind about terminating his lease early. We as landlords have to adhere to the lease (even if our tenant was not going to), we advised Brett that while it was his legal right to stay to the end of his current lease, his lease would not be renewed past its 2013 termination. Since we had a tenant willing to take the space anytime, we also offered to release Brett from his lease with no penalty if he found another home for Cyclus before his lease ends in 2013. The decision not to renew was caused by Brett’s actions last fall and that there was a promise made to a new tenant after his lease expires. That is where we stand now….
Typically, we do not respond to CHPN comments; HOWEVER because of an inappropriate and nonfactual “Goodbye Letter” posted by Brett, he has made himself the “victim” even though his actions started the process. Due to these posts, unfair comments and opinions have been made. As a result, our new tenant (and daughter) has been verbally threatened and harassed not only in the CHPN, but at her private home.
In the end, we are simply asking our ChurchHill neighbors to allow some compassion, understanding and fairness regarding this horrendous situation. Thank you, East Marshall LLC
Judging by the web site for the handbag store, I wonder how they are thinking they are going to make any money at all selling $600+ handbags in Church Hill. A little outrageous IMHO.
Really, Ann?
Putting the tenant/landlord controversy aside for a moment, I will say that the one time I went into Cyclus for general bike help, I experienced some of the same “impatience” noted in #15. While I am not a kid, I know very little about bike maintenance, repairs, etc. I was looking for some guidance, maybe something more than “get a wrench & do it”. Needless to say I didn’t go back. For what it’s worth – I don’t believe it was the owner, who I’ve heard very good things about. At this point what’s done is done, so while I don’t see myself purchasing any high-dollar handbags in the near-term, I do wish the new business owner much success, regardless of whose daughter she may be.
@22 – wtf’s that comment all about?
I’ve never had anything but good interactions with Cyclus and actually heard from a friend that they were willing to stay open an extra 30 minutes one night to help him with emergency work. That said, it’s the owner’s prerogative to rent to whomever she wants to.
It sounds like the primary model of the new handbag place will be as an online store but it’s nice to have another retailer coming in. Best wishes for her.
Do you think Church Hill and in that building location is ready for a shop that sells $500 handbags?
The Internet is… It’s primarily an online business which is perfect for a location that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.
I hope Ms. Kellman’s daughter does well in her new space. I’m sorry to hear that she has been subjected to threats and harassment. Anyone who is willing to open a legitimate business in this neighborhood has my respect. Neither the City nor the residents make it easy.