There is a new store in Edgartown, Wheel Happy Bicycle Shop, which opened its doors this past Monday and will stay open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm (with additional hours added sometime in June). Wheel Happy Bicycle Shop is an addition to the Wheel Happy family that includes Wheel Happy and Wheel Happy Too, both also in Edgartown.
The Wheel Happy business has been an Island staple for 19 years and is owned and operated by Phil Hughes.
“When I bought the business eight years ago, it was a bike rental business only,” Mr. Hughes says. “Over the years I have grown the retail part of the business to the point that we need to take it to the next level and expand.”
To expand, Wheel Happy has taken over a large retail space in the Old Post Office Square in Edgartown, where they will share parking with Lattanzi’s, Espresso Love, Main Street Diner, and Edgartown Cinema. In this new location, Mr. Hughes says, “We are dedicating this space to all things retail. From brand new bikes to all the accessories you need for a safe, comfortable bike ride for the whole family. We will have anything that goes on or comes with a bike for sale”.
Mr. Hughes feels very strongly that “Our store is all about comfort. We will carry some high-end products, but most products will really be more about comfort.”
Wheel Happy has recently become an authorized GIS dealer, which stands for Giant In Store. Giant, who is the maker of the number one selling bike in the world, is the premier line that Wheel Happy will carry. Mr. Hughes shares that, “Half of the store will be dedicated to the Giant brand line. They make great products and bike lines, at a good price.”
In fact, according to Giant’s website “Giant topped all other manufacturers in the 2011 Bicycling Magazine Editors’ Choice Awards, winning three of the eight major road bike categories featured in the magazine’s extensive annual review of the best bikes on the market. Giant was the only brand to win multiple categories, and the three it won this year surpassed its two awards in 2010.” Giant’s bike line covers people who ride paved roads to dirt paths and people who ride for fun to those who want to push their limits.
Along with the Giant brand, Mr. Hughes says that the store will also carry bikes and products by Schwinn, including some of their great retro bikes. “Their lines have really improved since they were bought by Cannondale two years ago,” Mr. Hughes says.
According to the Schwinn website, “Their cruisers are easy to ride. They are perfect for riders who want a classically styled, comfortable and simple bike to cruise around town or on the beach.”
Their new store will be dedicated to retail only. “It is great to now have the space and ability to offer a large variety of bikes and accessories that customers can come in, buy, and walk out with their new bike instead of having to wait for it to be ordered and delivered to the Island,” he says.
Both of their other locations, Wheel Happy at 8 South Water Street and Wheel Happy Too at 204 Upper Main Street, will still operate as usual for rentals and repairs. Wheel Happy is currently open and Wheel Happy Too opens Monday, May 16. For more information you may reach Mr. Hughes and his staff at 508-627-5928.
