Under Construction

• The curiosity and offers to help get the shop back on track are really very nice -- but quite honestly, if you want to help for now, please just let me finish the construction and repair work on the space so that I can get the shop back into something resembling a retail business. There is black mold and possibly asbestos everywhere, contractors and plumbers coming in and out... and absolutely no bicycle service or building happening at all. So hanging out and providing encouragement is really appreciated, but at the moment, it's really preventing some crucial work from getting done.

  So starting Friday, please please understand that the newspaper in the window means that I'm working as fast and as hard as I can to reopen and that you shouldn't try to force your way in to gawk, even if it's to provide emotional support. One way you can really help, both in the short and the long term, is to tell all your friends about Blackstone Bicycles and their excellent service department.

  That said, despite the construction nightmare that the shop finds itself in (oh yeah: we discovered *another* leaking pipe and tufts of black mold on the *other* side of the ceiling this afternoon) the elves and I are hard at work building a pretty exciting new store. You regulars won't even recognize it when it's all done, which is all the more reason to stay away for a while, because the extent of your shock and amazement will be exponentially proportional to the length of your absence. The new plans will incorporate (a) one Cinzano patio umbrella (b) two tubs of chalkboard paint (c) and a compromise position to deal with the overflow of Arts Cycles customers.