Bring on 2024
We’re not going to lie, 2023 was a weird year - and it wasn’t easy. Despite the challenges that 2023 brought for the bike industry and for small businesses, we’re optimistic that 2024 will be our best year yet. Read on to see what we’re hoping to accomplish this year and what you can do to help make it happen!
In 2024, we want to focus, grow, and give back!
Focus
When we opened Evergreen Bicycle Works, we knew having a strong service department would be one of the keys to our success. This continues to hold true, but as we’ve had the opportunity to expand our footprint and to add more bikes and accessories to the mix, growth in our service department took a back seat. In 2024 (and beyond), we will have a renewed focus on improving and advancing our service department. More training, more tools, more workshop space, and eventually more mechanics - that is our vision moving forward.
In 2024, you’ll also see a new focus for the shop as a whole. Our location on the Empire State Trail & Champlain Canalway Trail, our proximity to the Feeder Canal Trail (and on to the Warren County Bikeway), and our personal preference for touring, day touring, and casual riding have influenced our product selection from the start, but moving forward you will see a growing focus on products designed to facilitate and enhance that style of riding. More touring & casual riding bikes (more steel frames); more bags & racks; more lights, reflectors, and other safety items - we will be your destination for touring, commuting, and casual riding.
Grow
In addition to bringing focus to certain areas of our business, there are two areas where growth is the goal in 2024: our Kids’ Bike Trade-Up Program and our Bike Rental Program.
Our Kids’ Bike Trade-Up Program is designed to offset some of the cost of purchasing subsequent bikes as your kid continues to grow. With trade-in values of up to 60%, our Kids’ Bike Trade-Up Program can save you quite a bit of money and allow you to purchase a safe, quality bike each step of the way. Over the last year, we’ve worked to build up our kids’ bike inventory, and we will continue to do so in order to offer a wide range of styles and sizes.
Our Bike Rental Program is going into its fourth season, and we have brand new Marin Stinson ST bikes for 2024. At $35/day, our rental bikes are great for bringing along a friend that doesn’t normally ride or friends that are visiting from out of town and didn’t bring their bikes.
Give Back
From the start of Evergreen Bicycle Works, there have been two things that are non-negotiable.
One is that we will always provide a welcoming, inclusive, non-intimidating space for riders of all abilities. The other is that we will give back to our community whenever possible. So far, we’ve been lucky enough to be able to sponsor the local Little League, donate prizes for fundraisers, and take time to clean up our streets and parks. In 2024, we want to give back even more!
So, how can you help?
At the end of the day, it ultimately comes down to money, but we’re not here asking you to spend your life savings at Evergreen Bicycle Works (although you’re more than welcome to). Making us your first choice among local shops, and giving us the opportunity to get the products you need before shopping online have a direct impact, but there are plenty of things you can do to help us out that don’t put as much of a dent in your wallet. Getting more people through the door is the name of the game.
1. Tell Your Friends (...and Acquaintances …and Strangers) - This is number one for a reason. When people hear about us first hand from someone who has already had a positive experience, it instills confidence that they will have a similar experience.
2. Leave a Google Review - This is a close second to telling everyone you know. This is how you tell all the people you haven’t met. If you’ve enjoyed your experience with us so far, please consider sharing it in a Google review. Positive reviews instill confidence in those searching for the best local bike shop, and they also help us to rank higher in searches.
3. Give a Gift Card - Okay, so you’ll have to get your wallet out for this, but it doesn’t take much. Top off your next birthday, holiday, or thank you for watching my cat gift with a $10-20 gift card. Those who are already our customers will appreciate a head start toward their next purchase. For those who haven’t visited us yet, it gives them a reason to stop in. Trust us, if they ride a bike, they’ll appreciate the gift card.
4. Grab a Brochure - We had a brand new brochure designed this past summer, and if you ask us, it looks pretty sharp. Grab one and toss it on your fridge at home or on the office bulletin board. Grab a handful to give to your friend that owns a business or short term rental.
5. Stick a Sticker - Alright, this one will cost you a dollar or two as well, but it’s worth it right? Grab one of our stickers and stick it somewhere people will see it. Show us a picture and we’ll probably toss you another one.
6. Tag Us - Sharing a picture on social media with our shop or something you bought from us in it? Tag us! Posting your clean, shiny bike after it was just in for service? Tag us! Talking about anything (positive) that is bike related? Tag us!
7. Visit Fort Edward - It’s not just about us. If our community thrives, we thrive. While you’re in town, check out our trails, parks, and other local businesses. VisitFortEdward.com has all the info you need to have a good time in Fort Edward.
What else can you expect from us in 2024?
1. More Group Rides - In 2023 we organized our first group ride - the Tour de Fort Edward Coffee Social & Slow Ride. We had a great turnout between the July, August, and September rides. In 2024, we plan to build on the success of our Tour de Fort Edward with additional routes and rides.
2. More Trip Reports - In 2022, we rode a lot, and each week we would post a trip report to Facebook and Instagram. Those trip reports were some of our most popular posts, but in 2023 we didn’t get out to ride that much and we slacked a bit on posting the trip reports. In 2024, we will be making a solid effort to get our trip reports posted not only to our social media pages, but also onto our blog. Having them on our blog will make them more easily accessible and easier for people to reference if they decide to go ride those trails.
3. More Memorabilia - Unless you’ve only walked around the shop with your head down, you probably noticed our vintage 1989 Team Stumpjumper poster, our vintage Cycle for Life “Wear a Helmet” poster, our antique collapsible “Cyclists Cup” from 1897, and our collection of vintage memorabilia (that’s up high, so maybe you did miss it). Well, there’s more where that came from. We have a few vintage bikes/frames, a Quicksilver movie poster from 1986, and a few other pieces of memorabilia that we still need to get out on display. Even if you’re all set with your biking needs, you can always stop in to see what’s new on the walls!
With all that said, we want you to know that we appreciate your continued support. Don’t feel like you need to buy something or drop off a bike just to stop in for a visit. We’re looking forward to making 2024 our best year yet, and we hope that you’ll continue to be a part of it.
Come see us soon! - Kyle, Randy, & Socks
