OCALA, FL (BRAIN) Jan 26—When Top Gear Bicycles opened in November 2011, the owners couldn’t imagine they’d outgrow their space in less than two months.
But customers at the family-owned and –operated shop—a tiny office space stocking accessories and a few bikes in the front with a repair area in the back—demanded more bikes. “The interest for us to do more was there sooner than we thought, so we moved,” said Sandy Woodall, who runs the shop with husband Cullie and sons Ryan and Regan.
The Woodalls reopened Dec. 26, 2011, in a 1,400-square-foot strip mall storefront. The sales floor at Top Gear now has about 50 bikes from such brands as Raleigh, Felt, Rocky Mountain and Marin.
Top Gear is the Woodalls’ first bike business, but Ryan and Regan bring years of shop experience to the family enterprise. Ryan also races cross-country on the national mountain bike circuit, while Regan races locally.
“Our family has been into cycling for many, many years,” Sandy said.
