We always talk about being the City of Good Neighbors, and usually talk in generalities to back that up. Well last Friday at Liberty Hound, while my bike was chained up outside, it got stolen. Upon leaving the bar, I was a little bewildered to discover my bike was not there. Since I was riding home, I didnt want to drink too much and soon realized that out of the 3 bikes locked up in front of the bar only mine was stolen. After a few curse words and certain dejection, I got a lift from a friend back to my house on Richmond. For the last 8 years or so, I’ve cycled to work during decent weather, but last June my family went car free, and the need to get a new bike was pressing. I had gotten my Jamis Commuter 2 at Campus Wheelworks back in 2010 and have had it worked on their periodically since then. When I got there Saturday morning, I told the guys my sad sap story and they advised me to register my bike on their lost/stolen log as it may turn up.
Sure enough I got a call from them Thursday 7/25, saying there was a bike that came in for repairs, that looked an awful lot like mine. In fact, they had told the guy who brought the bike in that he was in possession of stolen property and that he would not be getting the bike back.
Not only is Buffalo a City of Good Neighbors, this is just another reason to support local businesses. Studies have shown that the vast money spent at local establishments gets reinvested back into the community. I’m not saying that if I had dealt with the same bike mechanics at some chain store that the same thing wouldnt happen. But years of frequenting Campus and having that personal relationship with a small local establishment has led to my purchase of 4 bikes there for my family.
As long as I live in Buffalo I will never go anywhere else to get a bike.
Thanks from an avid reader! – gaf
Photo: Campus Facebook
Campus Wheelworks | 744 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, New York 14222 | (716) 881-3613