MORRISTOWN, NJ (BRAIN)—Marty’s Reliable Cycle celebrated yesterday's Earth Day following the successful re-opening of its flagship store, which will become the first Specialized Fixture Rewards store to achieve LEED certification.
In order to receive recognition as a LEED Certified building, very strict guidelines and benchmarks must be met regarding the use of sustainable materials and building practices, in addition to fixtures and equipment that operate with extreme energy efficiency.
In the planning stages of the renovation, owner Marty Epstein decided that the project should focus on environmental sensitivity and sustainability and, just one month after re-opening, the expanded 3000 square foot shop is receiving rave reviews for customers and employees alike.
“Going into a project like this, you always hope for a positive response, but you really never know,” Epstein said. “Well, one month in, I’d have to say the response has been amazing. People are so excited about the new look and space, and when they find out about the LEED certification, they’re just blown away.”
With a popular shift in Morristown towards sustainability, Marty began leading the business community by example with the store’s renovation. In addition to his efforts through the Morristown Partnership, Marty has helped lead the town toward being among the first communities to be certified through Sustainable Jersey. He also backs the cycling community in their hopes for the adoption of Complete Streets by council resolution.
Specialized’s Retail Services team also worked closely with the shop to re-define the look and feel inside the historic building, which the store has occupied since its acquisition in the mid-80’s from the Wenarsky Brothers, Marty’s second cousins. He had pestered the then-hardware store owners for years about selling him the property, as his original location was located just down the street, and was quickly becoming cramped.
“This is something the store has needed for a long time. We’re fortunate to be as successful as we are and, just like when we moved to this building in the first place, this overhaul and extra floor space is going to help us bring bikes into even more peoples’ lives,” said Epstein, who usually seems more concerned with simply getting people on bikes than he is with his bottom line.
“Our job is simply to support our retailers’ vision and provide our design and merchandising expertise,” said Nichole Perrin, Specialized retail services manager. “When you add that to a group of focused, motivated shop people, you can’t help but have extraordinary results.”
