Main Street Bicycles + Macomb Orchard Trail = Business Success

Steve Gealy, owner of Main Street Bicycles in Washington Township is very happy in his new space.  Located on 26 Mile Road, just east of Mound, his shop sits on the Macomb Orchard Trail and users pass his store all day long.  “Business is up approximately 12 percent since we made the move.” 

Main Street Bicycles opened its doors for the first time in Romeo in 1994.  Six years later, it moved to a bigger place in Shelby Township and then last year, moved again to the current location.  They also have a store in Oxford.  Between the two stores, they employ up to 25 people during the peak months of March through November and nine people during the off-season.

T hrough the years, they have established a loyal customer base that has followed them from store to bigger store.   But the increase in business isn’t just because Gealy has gone to great lengths to ensure that his customers are satisfied with the products they sell.  “We know that being trailside has helped business.  People tend to stop by more often because they are passing by on their bicycles.”

Bike shops aren’t the only businesses to prosper on a trail; real estate developers are also capitalizing on proximity of trails.  According to a study by the National Association of Homebuilders, the number one amenity potential homeowners cite when they are looking at moving into a new community is a system of easily accessible trails for non-motorized forms of transportation.

In fact, local real estate developers are promoting proximity to the trail as a selling feature.  Anthony Lombardo, President of Lombardo Homes says, “We have three new home developments in Macomb that are directly adjacent to the Macomb Orchard Trail.  I can tell you with confidence that the lots that are closest to the path are the quickest to sell.” 

Not surprisingly, trails also provide economic benefit in terms of public health.  A study published in Journal: Health Promotion Practice found that for every $1 invested in a trail, $2.94 is realized in direct medical benefit.  Clearly, having access to a safe and well-maintained place to “walk and roll” helps to maintain and improve the health of users. 

According to Gealy, his employees have taken full advantage of the shop’s proximity to the trail.  At least two of his employees regularly commute to work by bike VIA trails from their homes in Rochester and Romeo.  “I can’t wait for the trail to be completed and for more links to be added”