One of Columbus’ largest and well-known bicycle shops will essentially double in size early this summer.
After five years of planning, the 1,500-square-foot expansion at the Bicycle Station, 1201 Washington St., is expected to be completed in June, co-owner Matt Battin said.
Designed by a Greenwood architectural firm, the expansion will bring additional space on the sales floor, as well as a larger service area, a new entrance at the rear of the store and a new parking lot.
When customers walk in the door of the current shop, four long rows of adult bicycles stacked on two different levels can be seen in the middle of the floor.
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Almost every inch of the south wall is covered with adult and children’s bicycles, while the north wall is filled with accessories ranging from seats and helmets to baskets and air pumps.
In order to handle customer demand, a storage building was added northeast of the store to keep boxed inventory, Battin said.
In the northeast service area, almost the entire ceiling above mechanic Nathan Bruggemans’ work area is covered with either suspended bikes or tires.
When Bruggemans moves into the new addition, he will have six repair stands at his disposal, rather than the current four, Battin said.
Most of the wall between the existing building and the new addition will be removed, allowing the mechanic to keep an eye on the entire operation, the co-owner said.
In addition, the business office, now located in a off-site building, will also be moved to the addition, Battin said.
Customers who park in the rear parking lot will find a new entrance with automatic doors on the east side of the building, he said.
Remodeling will include the installation of all new windows throughout the building, as well as a repair check-in and inspection area, Battin said.
It was back in September 1989 when original owner Charles Zaharako opened the Bicycle Station in a former gas station on the southeast corner of 25th and California St.
Battin and his wife, Melissa Rose, purchased the business from Zaharako in May 2000.
A 1990 graduate of Columbus North High School, Battin already had been a bicycle mechanic in Columbus and Bloomington for four years when he acquired the business. He was well on his way to becoming a seven-time state champion of the DINO (Do Indiana Off-Road) mountain bike series when he purchased the business.
As a long-time retail buyer and head merchandiser for the Bloomington-based J.L. Waters and Co., which sells outdoor and adventure gear, Rose brought her own set of skills to the business.
Seven years after acquiring the business, the couple moved the Bicycle Station to 1201 Washington St.
Built in 1965, the 2,935-square-foot (including basement) brick structure first served as Sap’s Buffeteria, a restaurant and coffee house, until it closed in 1980. After that, the building was headquarters for three travel agencies: M&M Travel, Carson Wagonlit and Travel Authority.
Initially, the 2007 move was motivated by a costly requirement to remove gasoline-storage apparatus at the 25th and California location, Battin said.
But the couple also wanted to move the shop closer to downtown, as well as being closer to the popular section of People Trail along the Flatrock River.
The 12th and Washington location also was appealing because it places the business in close proximity to three city parks: Mill Race, Noblitt and Donner, Battin said.
Over the years, the Bicycle Station has increased its visibility and inspired loyalty by sponsoring rides and fundraisers, as well as supporting causes including the Bicycle Co-op, the ColumBike share program and Adopt-a-Trail.
The couple’s passion for bicycling remains strong. Battin pedaled coast to coast in the 2012 “Race Across America” event. The following year, he helped Rose fulfill her own dream when the couple completed a similar journey across France.
The widespread popularity of biking in the region is well-known. For example, Bartholomew County is where a single-day event — the Hope Ride in September — can attract more than 2,000 bicyclists.
“We believe that bicycles can solve a lot of the world’s issues by improving human health, traffic congestion, lessen vehicular emissions and improve parking issues to name a few,” Battin and Rose say on the Bicycle Station website.
Being bike-friendly also is an important recruiting tool for businesses. Many engineers hired by local companies come from other areas of the country where bicycles are considered a common mode of transportation, Battin said.
“The Cummins Tech Center likely has more bikes parked outside it than any place else in town,” Battin said.
The enthusiasm of the riders, coupled with the expansion of People Trails and the recent addition of bike lanes, have been instrumental in transforming Columbus into a safer, bicycle-friendly community, he said.
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Address: 1201 Washington St.
Owned by: Matt Battin and Melissa Rose
Also: In addition to new and used bicycles and service, the business rents Trek hardtail and full suspension mountain and Electra Townie bicycles for out-of-towners who might be visiting local residents, and will include a helmet if a customer needs one.
For more information: 812-379-9005 or online at thebicyclestation.com.
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