My LBS closed a few years ago for a variety of reasons. The owner has reopened as workshop only - he carries almost no stock and doesn't sell bikes. Anything needed for repairs is ordered from the internet, and he doesn't take card payments. From the looks of things business is booming. It sounds like you have some breathing space to restructure your business - best wishes.
OP on the van idea couod you do local-ish delivery work ? Friend of mine closed down his fabrication business and went into semi-retirement and does this now europe wide. There is an app he uses fo bid on jobs. Could do the mobile bike fixing and delivery stuff ?
Obviously having a paid position takes away from stress but you sound like an entrepneurial person, don't give that up and good luck. Will look at your ads
Well done OP by the way!
How many sq ft is your shop?
Would you still like to work for yourself and meet the public?
You could try bikes and coffee shop
You could try bikes and beers
There is a growing niche of ' micro -pubs' who sell decent beer in small venues. Craft / Craft Keg / Real Ale/ European keg beers . Oversupply in beer market = lots of choice . Minimlaist set up, keep it small , keep it simple. You only need a capactiy of 50 or so , a few chairs and tables.
Open mic nights , meet the brewer nights, new beer launch nights
Just a thought, I am willing to help with a shed load of ideas if its something you feel would suit you / your location
We are in a small village, with a decent number of riders, non of whom use him. Only a couple of us do our own repairs mind.
I've always wondered why my lbs didn't try a few simple things:
Get our email addresses for a start, know what bikes we all ride.
Offers like mud guard fitting in the autumn, new chain and cassette free fitting in the spring.
Work out what would be the next upgrade for bikes when they come in for repair.
Do some group buys.
Offer a price for fitting new groupo's bought online.
Have an Internet offer.
See if the local paper would like a cycle tips weekly article free of charge.
Do bike hire for local air bnb houses.
Run a wheel truing course.
I honestly don't know if any of these ideas are any use at all, or how you can compete against the Internet on sales.
