A Greensboro-based eBike shop is putting down roots in Charlotte's South End.
Joe Michel, president and founder of eBike Central, spent 25 years working in tech before opening his first eBike store in 2017. eBikes are designed with an electric or battery-powered motor that make pedaling easier. They're ideal for a variety of users, including commuters who typical walk or ride a bike to work but hate breaking a sweat on the way.
Initially, Michel said, he was selling bikes out of his basement as the Greensboro store was prepped for opening. It didn't take long for him to realize an expansion would be key to the company's sustainability.
"I think that speaks to the fact that we've picked these premium products, but when I opened the company, I knew I couldn't depend on Greensboro to sustain it," he said. "We have customers from [all over the southeast]... And we have seen more and more interest over the last year or two from customers in Charlotte, the Triangle and Atlanta."
Michel said he knew he needed to expand and after some research, Charlotte made the most sense from both a business and customer perspective.
"Charlotte did stand out as a highly-trafficked area in terms of who was visiting the website and calling the store, and it's the closest larger metropolitan area," he said.
eBike Central will open its second shop on Sept. 1 at Rail Yard, a location Michel said he chose because of its centralized location, as well as its proximity to less busy roads where customers can test ride the bikes.
"The test ride environment becomes an important piece in where you put the store, and Rail Yard does present that opportunity because it's directly behind a lower traffic street and residential area," he said.
Business Development Manager Philip McGinnis said Charlotte is the perfect metropolitan city to test the eBike model because of the number of commuters in Uptown and South End.
"[Because of Covid-19] People seem to be reluctant to carpool, get into an Uber or use public transit," he said. "That's where commuting has really surged and where I think the eBike can meet that need."
McGinnis added, "They'll be useful for people who live in that South Boulevard corridor but work Uptown."
The bikes are an investment, however. McGinnis said a high-quality eBike starts at about $1,500. The brands sold at eBike Central start around $2,000. eBikes come in four different varieties: urban style, which are best for recreational use or commuting; off-road, compact, some of which are foldable; and cargo, which are built with racks or spaces meant to carry small children or heavy loads.
Even folks who may not be ready to invest in a new mode of transportation should stop by, Michel said. Once the Rail Yard shop opens, they'll begin doing free demos and test rides.
eBike Central carries eight top-tier brands and more than 100 models, Michel said.
"The expectation for the new shop is to continue what we've provided here in Greensboro, a showroom environment where we can consult the customer on their interests, where and how far they're going to ride," he said. "My question to everyone who walks in is, 'Are you familiar with the eBike?' The answer to that questions leads to what happens next."
