This #CannoliFriday

The Big Move (is getting closer and closer)

We're getting there. Before you know it we'll be all settled into Hub 3.0. Until then we've got tons of work to do.A little bit of construction, a lot of painting, arranging work spaces, and so on. I know this way out in the distant future, but So, next week- I want you to know we're going to be CLOSED AUGUST 3rd- 10th.

We'll be available by email then (hub at hubbicycle dot com -or- emily at hubbicycle dot com), but will be putting the tune-ups/bicycle-dreams-coming-true on hold until August 11th.

On a related note- Help us say a proper good bye to Hub 2.0 at this week's #CannoliFriday. It's gonna be a good one.

EVENTS! And Canceled Events.

First up, the EVENTS!:

If you like food and bikes, we're hosting the Dinner and Bikes crew at our NEW (and currently unoccupied) shop space. June 8, 7pm. Tickets here.

We're going to be back at the Red Bones Bike Party for the third year in a row (hat trick!).  We'll be closing up shop at 4pm to head over. Stop by for some BBQ and say 'hi'!


And now for Canceled Events:

So speaking of our new shop space.... we're kicking the prep work to get this space ready into high gear! Due to this, we're going to postpone all Basic Maintenance Clinics until the fall. We'll be bringing them back (as well as some new clinic offerings!) in October.

Hub 3.0

If you've been in the shop in the last few weeks you've noticed we're packed to the gills. We've got more bikes, and more people coming through than ever before. It's been so great to see everyone back on their bikes after such a long winter. Last week a few Original Regulars stopped in to say hi, and commented on what a big difference the current shop is from the original location (Hub 1.0). Remember that place? It was small, real small, but there was something cozy about it. It really only had room for one person to work efficiently, and there was next to no bike storage. The business needed to grow, and needed more space to do that.

Moving into the space that the shop occupies now (Hub 2.0) allowed the company to do great things like hire Erich (he's the best, isn't he?) and Aaron (he's the tallest, isn't he?), store a bunch more bikes, (co)invent #CannoliFriday (with BikeSafeBoston, obv.), and host some great clinics with the likes of Pedro's and the Luna Chix. The business continues to grow, and it's exciting, but we're in a familiar spot- with not enough space.


Here's our big news: HUB IS MOVING (for the last time, I promise). We're going to relocate to 1036 Cambridge Street (Hub 3.0). It's about as perfect as we could ask for. It's literally (in the literal sense of the word) a block from our current location (all of our tune-ups are Bom Cafe powered, so it was important to stay close). With three times the floor space there's more room for mechanics, merch, clinics, #CannoliFriday and fun stuff we haven't even thought of yet.

 

Hub 3.0, empty now- but not for long

We've got our work cut out for us to get this space ready, but I couldn't be more excited for this next chapter of  Hub. The timeline for this move isn't set in stone, but we're shooting to have the new doors open this August. We'll keep you posted.

Labor Day Wknd

What a nice summer. The weather's been beautiful, and we've been busy. Real busy. The crew here has been working their tails off cranking out high-end work in record time.

So to celebrate the last gasp of summer (unofficially) Hub is going to be closed Sept 1st, 2nd and 3rd. What are we going to do with a full holiday weekend off? Well, I'm going to rip it up on the Carriage Roads, just like John D Rockefeller intended. Erich mumbled something about 'Allston Christmas' and then laughed maniacally. And Alma's back to her grind as a student. So there you go.

Watch out for moving trucks out there, and we'll see you on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

World Traveler

We pack bikes for travel here. It's not our most requested service (that would be flat tire fixes), but we probably box up 3-4 bikes a month. Bikes get boxed for shipping, for going on airplanes as checked luggage, in moving trucks, or on Amtrak (I hear the rates are reasonable). You can buy bike specific bags and boxes, but unless you're going to do multiple trips it usually makes the most sense to pack in a regular ol' bike box. They're the boxes that bikes get shipped from the factory in- they're sturdy enough that if they're handled with reasonable care you can get a use or three out of them.

This particular box is super sturdy. It must have been in a batch of particularly well made ones. It first contained a new bike that was shipped to a shop in Portland, OR. That's where my buddy, Mr. E picked it up to pack his bikes for a move to Texas. Where I grabbed it from him to bring the Brown Machine back after my winter adventure. It's now going on a moving truck, headed for who knows where (probably the person moving, that's who). It's still in wicked good shape, so I hope it gets passed on for another journey.

New and Improved!

We did it! We're open for business at our new location- 1064 Cambridge St. (it's on the corner of Cambridge St. and Elm St.).

I can't really celebrate the new space without thanking and acknowledging all the folks who helped make it happen. Like Robert, Peter, Sal, Lisa, Charlie and the whole Youth Build/Just A Start crew for constructing this beautiful spot. And the moving crew- Ben, Casey, Mirabel, Laura, Janet, Jeff, Charlie, John, Erin, Cathy, Kim, Amanda, Kristen, Nancy, Cami, K Rice, and Jen. Oh, and Abby for showing up just as we finished all the work.

We're still breaking it in a little, but we're back to 93% operational. The other 7% will be back tomorrow.

CLOSED Saturday 10/22

We're going to shut down operations while we move Hub Bicycle HQ (to 1064 Cambridge St... in case you hadn't heard) this weekend.

Organization isn't my strong suit (you can't be good at everything...), so I'm bringing in reinforcements. We'll be back in action and better than ever on Monday. Just wait until you see the new shop... You're in for a pleasant surprise.

Moving Begins

Before I launch into this post about moving, you should know we haven't moved yet. You can still find us in the tiny shop at 918 Cambridge, until at least October 23. Probably. You know what? I'll let you know when we've moved for real. Anyway... I started the long process of moving today.

I used the Yuba Mundo Cargo bike to start to move some of the stuff we've had in storage. It can carry a real serious load of shelving/bike tools/bike display racks. Once you get the rig rolling it handles pretty well. The farther back the load of crap sticks out the wonkier it handles at slower speeds, but I think more thoughtful crap placement would help to fix that. I'll write more about the bike (I believe the term is "a review") after the move is complete.