New bike and repair shop to open in former Pyramid building
Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe owners Mike Vedejs and Christina Mersereau with their awesome stepmom (and funder/supporter), Pat Anderson.
Sometimes, “opportunity” is the best answer to any question.
Maan Abdul-Baki and Sybil Kolon made the decision in 2019 to close their 32-year-old business, Pyramid Office Supply and Emporium, at 108 E. Main Street. While attempting to sell the store for a year and a half, Maan had been musing for a while that a bike shop would be a good business for the community.
Meanwhile, Mike Vedejs, a noted ASE-certified mechanic in the Madison, Wisconsin area, had been wanting to open his own bicycle repair and sales store for years. During a walk in the woods in December with his sister Christina Mersereau, and Christina’s husband Jacques, who have lived in the Manchester area for the past 15 years, they were talking about Mike’s future aspirations and Jacques mentioned that he knew of a “cool place on Main Street” that was for sale, and suggested that they go check it out.
“When we got there, we immediately loved it and thought it would be perfect,” says Christina. “We called the owners, Maan and Sybil (wonderful folks!) and scheduled a viewing. And it was, indeed, perfect! And the price seemed extemely reasonable. We started to work on financing …”
They were fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Mike and Christina’s step-mom, Pat Anderson, who provided funding from their deceased father (Ed Vedejs’) estate, along with support from their uncle, Art Vedejs.
Photo of the original Lannom’s 5 and 10 store, built in 1952 by Roscoe Lannom (pictured). Photo courtesy of Ray Berg and Manchester Area Historical Society.
The Pyramid Office Supply & Emporium also was born of an opportunity in 1988. Maan had started his business in a small space on Adrian Street, retailing office supplies while establishing accounts with local businesses, according to Sybil. In 1988, the old Ben Franklin was for sale; Maan bought the building and merchandise from Roscoe Lannom and opened it as Pyramid Office Supply & Emporium in July 1988.
Lannom, who had built the building in the early 50s also was seeking a new opportunity for his business. He started the “five and dime store” in Manchester at a time when that was a rising business model. At some point, it became a Ben Franklin; Sally Marshall was running it when Maan bought it.
Now there’s an opportunity for another business to call this location “home.” With changing shopping habits, Maan and Sybil felt like it was time to retire and move on.
“We think (the bike shop) will serve local residents and bring in people from out of town,” Sybil said. “So it feels like we’re going out on a really good note. We are easily adjusting to having less responsibility and time to do whatever we feel like … We will not be bored.”
When Jacques and Christina moved to Sharon Township in 2006, coming from Whitmore Lake, where they had lived for 15 years, they were ready to move to somewhere “quiet and less crazy.” Mike recently relocated here from Madison, Wisconsin, also looking for a change in scenery and a good work opportunity. Jacques and Christina had moved again, into town, about a year and a half ago. “We all love everything about Manchester, especially how friendly and welcoming everyone has been!” she says.
Meanwhile Mike had split his time between living in Madison, working as an ASE certified Master Mechanic, and Forest City, North Carolina, for many years. When he started working at a nationally known bike shop in Verona, WI, (Atkins Verona Bicycle Shoppe), he seemed to have found the perfect niche.
“He is an awesome mechanic and loves working with customers to get a perfect fit and perfect ride out of their used and new bicycles!” Christina says. “By the way, he will also service wheelchairs, walkers, and e-bikes — anything with wheels that doesn’t run on petroleum products.”
Currently, there’s the predictable demolition and renovation going on in the building on Main Street, but the Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe has set an opening date of March 1 for service and some accessory sales.
“We will be adding more inventory as time goes on and our budget allows, and hope to have a good amount of inventory by mid-April,” Christina says. “There are supply-chain issues throughout the industry, so getting some things will be later than usual, but we’ll do our best! We will be selling bicycles, parts, accessories, and more.”
She also predicts you’ll find some fun and odd items in her eclectic “Christi’s Corner” section.
The team is also tossing around the idea of selling hunting knives, Leatherman multi-tools, Garmin and FitBit watches, and so forth. “Things like that will depend a lot on our cost; it’s really impossible to compete with Cabela’s and Amazon!” she says. “We’re hoping that people prefer to support local business rather than huge corporate retailers.”
They also plan to get a lot of things related to bicycles, triathlon, swimming and other sports … so it doesn’t hurt to ask if you are looking for something in particular.
From a simple cleaning, degreasing or a tune-up to a complete overhaul or custom rebuild, Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe has you covered. They feel confident that you will not find better mechanical service anywhere, at unbeatable prices. The shoppe is currently taking appointments for repairs, tune-ups, rebuilds, tire replacements, and other services, to put on the calendar for March. However, if you are in dire straits and need repair work done NOW, give a call, and they will work it out!
Call 734-396-7001 to make your appointment soon!
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