Performance Bicycle opening store on Oak Valley Drive near Ann Arbor
The interior of a typical Performance Bicycle store.
Performance Bicycle
Scheduled to open in the spring or early summer depending on construction and final lease negotiations, the store will be located at 3059 Oak Valley Drive. It will occupy the vacant corner space in the Village Centre mall, which is known most perhaps for Outback Steakhouse.
Ann Arbor was selected as one of 12 new store locations opening across the country based on the high internet and catalog sales the company has experienced in the area, according to Jim Thompson, CEO of Performance Bicycle.
“Our sales numbers from internet and catalog give us a good indication how brick--and -mortar will do in a certain area. Ann Arbor is a great college town, an outdoor town, with a lot of cycling and a high avid cycling count.”
The store is hiring 12-15 sales associates, with more to be added during peak seasons.
Headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC, Performance Bicycle was founded 28 years ago as a catalog company. Eventually it opened stores and evolved into online sales.
“We are a very large Internet player, if not the largest, and we really try to integrate the Internet with the stores,” said Thompson. “We have customers who research online and then go into one of our stores to make a purchase, and others who go into a store to touch and feel products first and then buy online.”
Performance Bicycle is not concerned about competition from other bike stores in town.
The building on Oak Valley and Ann Arbor-Saline Road, just south of the Target-anchored center in Pittsfield Township.
Laura Blodgett | For AnnArbor.com
This type includes not only elite cyclists, but the family coming in to buy bikes and gear for themselves, including helmets, shoes and apparel, or to get their bike serviced.
“We believe our greatest opportunity is to provide a broad range of goods and services at a middle-of-the-road price point that is easy and fun for every person who comes into our environment,” says Thompson.
The store rolled out a distinct visual concept three years ago for all of its stores, which aims to demystify the bike experience for its customers.
“The biggest thing people said in our surveys is that when they go into a cycling store, they are so intimidated by the sheer volume of bikes and feel more like they are in a mechanics arena, not a shopping environment,” says Thompson.
A native of Michigan, Thompson is especially excited for the new store opening.
“To say it is near and dear to me is an understatement,” says Thompson, who was raised in Livonia and Plymouth and still attends frequent University of Michigan games.
“We want to make sure we do it right.” The company will also be opening stores in Bloomfield Hills and Novi this spring.
“We have a lot of stores already throughout the Midwest and we know how great a retail area Michigan is. We look at all the statistics and our attitude is that all the numbers add up for us. Michigan was the first to hit bottom but if you look at automotive and other indications such as the diversification of the economy, there is a lot of optimism, probably more than other areas.”
He adds that their direct sales didn’t have a huge drop off in Michigan over the last few years, and that real estate is also priced to their advantage at this time.
Although sales of discretionary products are down overall, Thompson thinks the cycling industry has a bright future for a variety of reasons.
“People care about the environment, gas prices are going up, there is more bike infrastructure development legislation going on. The real reason people get on bikes, say in the last 24 months, has not been affected [by the economy].”
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Comments
A2MOMof5
Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
I went to Performance Bicycle on Oak Valley in Ann Arbor to purchase a bike for my son's 11th birthday. A terrible mistake!! Upon returning to pick up the bike after the free assembly, I was refused my purchase unless I agreed to sign a contract releasing them from all liability! Not only did they want me to sign, but they also demanded my 11 year old son, sign it as well! The manager explained this was to prevent law suits should something be wrong with the bike. After telling me it was assembled by his staff. The store has NO posted signs indicating a contract is necessary before the bike is released. There was no statement on the receipt, nor did the salesperson eager for my $250, mention that I would not be allowed to take my purchase out of the store unless this contract was signed. They seemed genuinely shocked that I chose a refund rather than be subjected to their contract. I do not want to do business with a company that manipulates a parent to sign away their rights or disappoint their child. Thank you to the other commentators for naming the locally owned bike stores in the area as I will definitely take my business to them!
John T Dike
Tue, Feb 22, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
I am with many of you when I say I'm going to keep my business local. Personally I do my shopping online and local with Tree Fort bikes over in Ypsi. I think one thing a lot of people will end up being disappointed by is now if you buy from Performance online from MI you'll have sales tax. With a lot of really good shops around the area who all support the local cycling community through various events and support, I don't see the need for Perf. bike. It's not like they came in saying, we did our homework and decided that the cycling community really needs help expanding. Nope, it's about money. They see money and are trying to flock to it.
David Frye
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 10:49 p.m.
Bike stores in A2? The more the merrier, as far as I'm concerned. Still, I'll continue to spend my hard-earned dollars at a local and locally owned store -- Great Lakes Cycling on Stadium, in my case. Love their service.
Thomas
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.
Looks like a nice place to pick up a jersey or two but when it comes to bikes i think i'll stick with Two Wheel Tango also. They take care of routine maintenance at no cost if you bought the bike from them. Other stores charge for this service.
ginnilee
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.
I'm glad to see that others expressing loyalty to the local bike shops. I bought my first bike in A2 from Campus Bike & Toy, & my latest bike from them (AKA Wheels In Motion) 30+ years later.
e901
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
if they already have a strong mail order business from the area, then they are already successfully competing with the local shops... at least this way they will have some financial footprint in the area, beyond the USPS...
Ron Granger
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
That's great, especially for some items... But I will continue to support my local bike shop, rather than a chain.
JM
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
I'm with Charlie. Not because I prefer Two Wheel Tango (I prefer Wheels in Motion or Aberdeen Bike in Chelsea), but because it's important to support locally-owned and operated businesses. Everyone complains about the lack of jobs and the poor economy in the area, and then they go and shop at big chain stores. I don't get it. You might end up paying slightly more for products at a locally-owned business, but in return, that business will take particularly good care of you....and it will still be around in five or ten years. Buy local.
John B.
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
It's just silly to equate anything in this discussion to anything to do with North Korea.
mw
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 5 p.m.
"I'm with Charlie. Not because I prefer Two Wheel Tango (I prefer Wheels in Motion or Aberdeen Bike in Chelsea), but because it's important to support locally-owned and operated businesses." But why? I mean, would you restrict yourself to reading only locally-written books or locally recorded music? Would you use only locally written software on locally designed and manufactured computers? Would you take only locally discovered drugs when you're sick? How about only locally foods? Remember Ann Arbor's prosperity depends on people who aren't from here buying the goods and services we produce (how many of UM's students are from Ann Arbor. How many of the buyers of cars engineered at the Toyota Tech Center are from Ann Arbor?) We all depend on people from around the country and around the world buying our stuff -- why would we discriminate against buying their stuff? The idea the we'd all be richer if we just traded with 'us' and not 'them' is crazy. It's called autarky -- and the best example we have of it is North Korea. That's a long way from bicycle shops, and I'm perfectly happy to buy from local places when they have the best products/prices/service (and I've bought bikes from Two Wheel Tango and other local shops), but I'm not going to buy from a shop just because it's locally owned.
David
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
"The biggest thing people said in our surveys is that when they go into a cycling store, they are so intimidated by the sheer volume of bikes and feel more like they are in a mechanics arena, not a shopping environment," says Thompson. I think they have succeeded, I didn't see a single bike in the photo of their typical store. I also shop at locally owned stores but I wish them well. The more businesses open in our area, the more jobs there are and the more money is put into our economy. David Rhoads
gshaver
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 3 p.m.
I love Two Wheel Tango too and bought a bike from them last summer. I'd always go back to them for the major stuff. You can't beat their customer service. I'm looking forward to Performance being in town for a larger selection of clothing, which I'm already ordering on-line from them.
Charlie
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Thanks, but I'll keep shopping locally with Two Wheel Tango. They've always come through for me and have an awesome all around selection too. I'm sure I'll check it out once but, I just prefer to support local companies on the whole. Michigan has been a tough place for local businesses the last few years, & big box retail has a lot to do with that.
FredMax
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.
I agree, great place to get a bike and equipment. I wish i had held out afew more months, I just bought a new bike:(
gshaver
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.
This is great news! I've been ordering from them on-line for years.