The Peddler Bike Shop will ride into $850,000 renovation

The Peddler Bike Shop has been at home in the University District for four decades, and in its current space on Highland Ave. for 25 years. By June 1, however, the peddlers expect to be in new digs, just across the street, at 3548 Walker Ave.
 
The former site of a YMCA which vacated in 2012, the 11,500-sq. ft. space is undergoing an $850,000 renovation by Montgomery Martin Contractors LLC, with design by LRK Inc. and leasing handled by CB Richard Ellis Memphis.
 
The Peddler will take nearly half of the total space at 6,050-sq. ft. Though an increase of only 1,000-sq. ft. over their present location, it will allow them to boost the floor inventory from 120 bikes to about 146, said store manager Cort Percer. One goal is to improve upon the women’s lines especially.
 
The area, already home to specialty retail and favorite restaurants such as Garibaldi’s Pizza and Brother Juniper’s, will be getting a makeover thanks to the University of Memphis’s redevelopment plan which includes a grand entrance to the campus, and a $529,436 Tennessee Department of Transportation grant to the City of Memphis. Part of the renovation will involve improved lighting and landscaping, as well as widening sidewalks.
 
Those sidewalks will come in handy as customers ride away from the Peddler Bike Shop on new bicycles. Parking on Walker will be made available in the back of the building as demolition of a dormitory and gym frees up space.
 
Bicycling has become increasingly popular in Memphis over the past years, with bike lanes growing exponentially throughout the city.
 
“We really saw the impact of that a few years ago when the Greenline first went into place,” Percer said. “So the added cycling infrastructure and the added interest just continues to help grow our business.”

By Richard J. Alley