Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Used Bike Shop Rolls into Harrisburg

Underground Bike Shop will open this winter.

Underground Bike Shop will open soon in this building in Midtown Harrisburg.

Ian Morrison spent summers in Dillsburg fixing 1950s-era tractors with his grandfather. When he returned to his family’s Mechanicsburg home, he still wanted to grease his hands with a project.

“I had no use for tractors in a suburban neighborhood,” he said.

He found bicycles—lots of bicycles.

He filled his family’s garage, porch, shed and yard with more than 100 bicycles he refurbished. Soon, he will have a new location to share his obsession with others.

Morrison is opening Underground Bike Shop, a used bicycle store at 1519 N. 3rd St., the first of its kind in Harrisburg. He has refurbished about 200 bikes, which will cost $100 to $350.

In fact, $350 generally is the starting price point for a new bicycle. Morrison hopes that the lower price range and his personal service will encourage more biking in Harrisburg.

“I want to see more people on bikes,” he said.

Ross Willard of Recycle Bicycle, a nonprofit that helps put low-income individuals on safe bikes, likens the store to a used BMW dealership. Morrison strips the bikes down then builds them back up again. He said that he will ensure that his bikes are completely safe and operational before selling.

The coworking space st@rtup and the Midtown Scholar previously operated at this Midtown location, which started life as the Midtown post office. In June, CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown bought the building from GreenWorks Development.

On Monday, the city’s Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved Morrison’s request for a special exception from parking requirements. If all goes according to plan, Morrison hopes to open sometime this winter.

“I want to connect with people and provide a service,” he said.

For more information about The Underground Bike Shop, visit its Facebook page: The Underground Bike Shop.

Author: Danielle Roth

 

 

 

 

 

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