Charles A. James, San Antonio's oldest bicycle shop, in danger of closing
San Antonio's oldest bicycle shop is asking the public for help, saying "it's hanging on by a thread" as it tries to reach its 103-year mark in 2023. Charles A. James Bicycle Shop pleaded for the community's support in a Facebook post on Tuesday, December 14.
Hank Estrada, the owner of the downtown bicycle shop, wrote in the post about how the construction going on around his business has caused some hardships. He stressed that December will be the telling sign of if they will open in January 2023 for the 103-year anniversaryRead More : Genentech rides up to 2nd target in Bicycle immuno-oncology collab Estrada had a career in the Air Force before moving back home to take over his 90-year-old father's business about 25 years ago. The elder Estrada, Henry, began working for James as a bike mechanic in 1938. When James passed away, he left the shop to Henry in his will in 1968.
During the summer, Hank created a GoFundMe account to help pay some of the shop's bills. It helped but they are not out of the woods. He's hoping San Antonio can rally around them again as he battles the changes coming downtown.
"At the present time, the shop is hanging on by a thread. I pray to God we don't fold and go away," Hank stated in the post. "Before all the construction hit the area, the shop was doing very well."
Hank explained how they lost over 20 parking spaces for customers, causing the business to slow down as his clients didn't like driving through it. He said some parking slots opened up after the city finished some work. However, he added the city probably won't finish its project soon. Hank said he doesn't think anything major will get resolved with the street construction until June 2023. As for the building across from him, he doesn't think it will be done until June 2024.
The shop is located at 319 N. Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205. It focuses on repairs, offering sales, rentals and custom build bikes. San Antonio do your thing. If you wish to donate, visit his GoFundMe page by clicking here.
Hank Estrada, the owner of the downtown bicycle shop, wrote in the post about how the construction going on around his business has caused some hardships. He stressed that December will be the telling sign of if they will open in January 2023 for the 103-year anniversary
During the summer, Hank created a GoFundMe account to help pay some of the shop's bills. It helped but they are not out of the woods. He's hoping San Antonio can rally around them again as he battles the changes coming downtown.
"At the present time, the shop is hanging on by a thread. I pray to God we don't fold and go away," Hank stated in the post. "Before all the construction hit the area, the shop was doing very well."
Hank explained how they lost over 20 parking spaces for customers, causing the business to slow down as his clients didn't like driving through it. He said some parking slots opened up after the city finished some work. However, he added the city probably won't finish its project soon. Hank said he doesn't think anything major will get resolved with the street construction until June 2023. As for the building across from him, he doesn't think it will be done until June 2024.
The shop is located at 319 N. Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205. It focuses on repairs, offering sales, rentals and custom build bikes. San Antonio do your thing. If you wish to donate, visit his GoFundMe page by clicking here.
Source: www.mysanantonio.com
