Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop and Detroit Bikes have partnered to open a retail residency in collaboration with Eastern Market Corp.'s Thanksgiving market. The bicycle boutique is housed in a shipping container located in Shed 4 of Detroit’s Eastern Market shopping district.
The collaboration between Wheelhouse Detroit and the city’s singular bicycle manufacturer will focus on quality American-made products. The boutique is open Friday through Monday through the winter, and will also provide drop-off repair service and bicycle rentals.
"We are excited to extend the cycling season with this unique collaboration between a retailer, a manufacturer and a neighborhood development agency," said Wheelhouse co-owner Karen Gage. "Eastern Market is the perfect place to showcase the best in American-made and locally sourced bikes and bicycle products."
Detroit Bikes’ A-Type commuter bike is front and center in the boutique’s offerings. The minimalist bike, manufactured and assembled in Detroit Bikes’ factory in west Detroit, features a lightweight chromoly steel frame and a three-speed internal rear hub. The A-Type is available in one frame size meant to fit a range of riders between 5-foot-5 to 6-foot-2. It retails for $550.
The Eastern Market boutique will also offer a special “A+” model that includes American-made lights, lock, kickstand, bottle cage and bell for the customer who wants to purchase a complete bike. The A+ will retail for $700.
Detroit Bikes began production in its 50,000-square-foot factory in August, and has added a number of retailers to its dealer base over the past three months.
“We needed a retail storefront of some kind throughout the winter,” said Zakary Pashak, owner of Detroit Bikes. “This is, for now, a semi-permanent space, but it suits our needs perfectly. We are looking forward to working with Wheelhouse Detroit to show our bikes off to holiday shoppers throughout the season.”
