The 2800 block of West Girard has seen some major changes over the last several years, with several businesses opening up and adding new vibrancy to the commercial corridor. Offhand, we can think of Rybrew, Spot Burger, and Monkey & the Elephant as food businesses that have appeared in recent memory. A political office opened last year on the first floor of 2835-37 W. Girard Ave., in a space that was sitting blighted and vacant for a very long time. And of course, we can't forget Brewerytown Bicycles, which opened a few years back and provides for the neighborhood's two-wheeled transportation machine needs.
At this point, it's no surprise to learn about new businesses coming to West Girard. But in light of the fact that Brewerytown Bicycles calls the 2800 block its home, it was unexpected when we encountered this sign at the corner of 28th & Girard.
Two bike shops for West Girard, on the same block? Seems odd, wouldn't you say?
In trying to get some more info, we turned to MM Partners, a fine idea when trying to get the lowdown on anything happening in this neighborhood. And wouldn't you know, we quickly figured out what's going on. An Instagram post from a few days ago featured an image of this sign, and someone had exactly the same question that we did. MM Partners responded that this business will be a spin place, not a bike store, and that it will open in a few months. This makes all kinds of sense, and will dovetail nicely with Steelworks Strength, now moving into a larger space a couple blocks away.
Incidentally, the space at 2800 W. Girard Ave. is huge and according to the permits the space it's getting divided into two, with Cycle Brewerytown only taking over half the building. Given the placement of their sign, we'd guess they'll be opening at 2802 W. Girard Ave., leaving a corner space available. What kind of business would you like to see open at this corner?