MOORPARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Christopher Rubin’s interest in bikes started when Speedplay founder Richard Bryne moved into his childhood San Diego neighborhood.
“When Richard moved next door, he got all of us kids interested in cycling,” Rubin said. “I was the only one who stayed with it.”
Since college, Rubin has done a bit of everything in the industry, from managing a women’s road racing team and working at Speedplay to managing several shops in Northern and Southern California, including the former Supergo store in Santa Monica and 11 Performance Bicycle locations. Following a four-year stint working as a warranty manager at Giant Bicycles, he worked for the nonprofit Bike MS and, most recently, at Simi Cycling Center in Simi Valley, California.
In late December, Rubin opened the doors to his own store, Wingspan Cyclery, in Moorpark, California.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for about 20 years,” he said. “It’s fun to put all of my experience into my own shop.”
Rubin worked with Holly Wiese and Andy Davis of 3 Dots Design on the design of the 1,400-square-foot store. (BRAIN worked with 3 Dots Design on its inaugural Retail Remodel Project last year and is collaborating with the retail design firm again on the second edition of the program.)
Rubin’s goal was to create an environment that would cater to everyone, and to appeal to women.
“I didn’t want it to look like a typical bike shop,” Rubin said. “There’s no slat wall and no peg board. I was going for kind of cross between Barnes & Noble and an Apple store. Not as sterile as an Apple store and comfortable like a bookstore.”
In order to best utilize his small space, Rubin stocks about 40 road, mountain and cruiser bikes from Felt, Bianchi and Orbea on the sales floor but has various size runs and colors in an off-site storage facility.
The shop has a full-service repair department and four employees who have more than 100 years of combined experience in the industry.
Wingspan is located in the Tuscany Square Shopping Center in Moorpark. A grand opening celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 20, in conjunction with six neighboring businesses, including a new juice bar, clothing store and fitness center.
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Wingspan Cyclery owner Christopher Rubin worked with 3 Dots Design on the design of his 1,400-square-foot shop. (Photos by Eye 4 Detail Photography) -
WIngspan's women's department -
The shop's helmet wall incorporates bike art.
