If I were a recruiter for Critical Mass, one of the first places I'd drop my leaflets would be Varsity Bike Shop.
They're in Dinkytown next to the Varsity Theater and are soon to undergo an up-the-block rebirth next door to the local, but a bit more corporately polished, Erik's bike shop.
There's a bit of differentiation going on 4th Avenue SE. Varsity, with its pumps and tools on the sidewalk, has traditionally catered to the impoverished University student. Erik's, with its customer parking out back, is more clearly positioned to serve the empty nester pioneers who have moved back to the downtown fringe and Northeast, and those looking for a more upscale retail experience.
Being able to choose between a $40 tune up and $125 bike shorts is what makes America great.
Starting July 31st, the Varsity is reinventing itself as the fossil fuels alternative, promoting electric bikes, transit and cargo bikes, in addition to the usual fare. Rumor has it they'll also be involved in the launch of a Twin Cities bike share program.
