ASHLAND — Secretary of State Frank LaRose highlighted Ashland Bike Company On Thursday in his “Ohio Business Spotlight” for December.

The bike shop was one of eight businesses highlighted as Ohio heads into the holiday buying season.

“The eight businesses featured in this month’s Ohio Business Spotlight have taken their passion for toys, books, bikes and more, and turned them into unique and magical shops for local community members to enjoy,” reads a press release from LaRose’s office.

LaRose noted Ashland Bike Company’s founder Anthony Bunt, who launched the company in 2017 after leaving an education career behind. 

“Ashland Bike Company has donated several bikes to children in their community, and they also run a summer youth cycling program called Team Wild,” the release reads.

Team WILD is part of Ohio’s first National Interscholastic Cycling Association league, which attracted around 120 riders across 13 teams for its first season.

“Not only do they support children in their communities, but they also donate bike repair services to adults who can’t afford to fix their bicycles,” reads LaRose’s highlight. “Ashland Bike Company also made their own mountain bike trail in the area for families and other mountain bike fanatics to enjoy.” 

Bunt said being highlighted by LaRose is an honor. 

“It’s great to be recognized. It’s rewarding — we’ve all been hustling around here for the last couple years since COVID,” Bunt said. 

Bunt said people rushed to the outdoors for activities to do through COVID-19 shutdowns. 

“So bike sales were high for a while. But when inventory ran out, it was difficult,” he said.

The shortage on bikes and parts hit during the heart of the riding season, Bunt said. To keep the lights on, the company has had to pivot in some areas. Sourcing parts and finding the right bike for customers became a priority, but it took more work, he said. 

“We were running into something like, ‘well, I want a comfort bike, but let’s convert this mountain bike to fit their needs.’ That stuff has been extra work,” Bunt said. 

The shop has also recently launched a custom wheel building service to bolster sales.

Bunt employs two staff people, not including himself. One of those employees, Ashley Hendershot, also runs the nonprofit dubbed Ashland Bike Project.

Before hiring Hendershot, Bunt said, the shop was “definitely operating beyond capacity.” 

“Even after hiring another person in here, we’re still pretty busy with doing all the other stuff,” he said. 

Bunt said he couldn’t keep the business alive without his passionate staff.

“They’re exceptional people,” he said. “They do a great job with what they’re doing.”

LaRose’s list of other spotlighted businesses can be found here.