MADISON TOWNSHIP — Once upon a time it was said the three biggest words in business are location, location, location.
With that in mind, a family-owned cycling shop made a big move earlier this year. The Cycling Sports Center moved to Mansfield in January after spending two years at its Galion location.
“We started out small in Galion just to get our feet wet,” owner, Bob Chipka said. “Even when we were looking in Galion, I always had the fear that if another bike shop moved into Mansfield, it would ruin us in Galion.”
He and his wife, Lisa spent months driving and riding their bikes around Mansfield in search of their new location. The couple enjoys biking together, and they have participated in several triathlons.
While the Chipkas originally wanted a downtown Mansfield store front, they eventually decided on the 779 Laver Rd. location instead.
Bob Chipka, of Wooster, would frequently pass the bike shop’s new location on trips to the Mansfield YMCA.
“I used to drive by every night and see this blacked-out building, but it never clicked in my head,” he said. “I was driving home one night, and I was like, wait a minute, what’s this building here?”
He spotted the “For Rent” sign on the window and further investigated. He asked about the corner space in the building, but was offered an even larger space in the middle of the building, directly beside the Heatherwood Terrace Apartments rental office.
The Cycling Sports Center closed its Galion location in January, and made the move to Mansfield without a grand opening ceremony.
“In the cycling community, once people know, they talk,” Chipka said.
The space was once a restaurant with tables, booths, bar stools and more left behind. Two booths now serve as computer desks, where customers can shop online or bicyclists can track their routes. Lisa Chipka covered the barstools with bicycle-print material.
Eventually, Bob Chipka thinks the Cycling Sports Center could sell some refreshments at the bar, but until then, there’s already free coffee and water available in a small lounge area.
“We want the cycling community to stop in,” he said. “Make us part of your route.”
Bob Chipka doesn’t bike as often as he once did. The business keeps him busy.
“But to hear the people come in and talk, it’s just exciting to hear what they are doing with their life,” he said.
In mid-May, four men biking from Virginia to Oregon stopped by. Another day, a man and his daughter visited the shop on their way to New York City.
“It is great to meet people touring across the USA and (to) hear their stories,” the Cycling Sports Center posted on Facebook.
Sunday the center will host a group ride with the Mid-Ohio Bikers. Riders will depart from the Cycling Sports Center at 1 p.m. After the ride, burgers and hot dogs will be served.
The Cycling Sports Center is open Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information on the center and its bikes is available at its website and Facebook page.
“It’s a great thing to sell,” Bob Chipka said. “You’re selling someone’s excitement.”
