North Division Bicycle shop owners Scott Willegale and Brenda Mangine will open their second bike shop in the historic Hillyard district in northeast Spokane on March 7. As with the North Division location, this bike shop will have a full-service department, biking accessories and bikes for sale.
Since Hillyard Bicycle will be adjacent to the new Children of the Sun trail, however, Willegale says they also plan to offer a “rent and ride” option from the shop for e-bikes, trikes, and regular bikes so people can go explore the trail, which connects to the paved Centennial Trail with close access to the mountain bike trails at Beacon Hill. If you’re in town for a convention and have a few hours to kill, or are a family of five or more who have trouble transporting bikes, this new rent-and-ride option will be a great way to get outside on two wheels.
The Children of the Sun trail is just one recent project putting new energy into the Hillyard neighborhood, and Willegale says they’re excited to be a part of the community revitalization. Going from a “rough and tumble railroad district” to a place with some great restaurants and a new live music place going in down the street, Willegale says Hillyard Bicycle will be a hub where you can come park, go ride, and then return to have lunch, get a drink, and hang out. “It wasn’t just like ‘let’s open a bike shop,’ it was like, oh, this is a great opportunity to be in the community and help this section of town,” he says.
While doors officially open at Hillyard Bicycle at 5002 N. Market Street on March 7, a grand opening party will probably occur in April or later this spring. “It’s going to be a beautiful store,” says Willegale. “Rent a bike and ride is going to be great for the community and Spokane, and it’s going to be fun.” Stay in the loop at Northdivision.com or follow the shop on social media.
