Rob Livingston has turned his passion for bicycling into a new business, Park City Cyclery, at 1106B W. Main St.
Rob said he has long planned to open a bike shop after he retires. After moving to Merrill three years ago, he realized there is a niche to be filled in the community.
“There really is a vacuum for a bike shop,” he said.
The Merrill area is a great place for bicycling, Rob said, with the Underdown Recreation Area just outside town, miles of challenging rural roads and the planned River Bend Trail.
Rob rented space in the building between the Sixth Ward bridges – the other side is occupied by WJMT Radio – last summer and started working on customers’ bikes. Initially, Park City Cyclery offers bicycle repair and sales of accessories and components.
Rob is a certified bicycle mechanic through the United Bicycle Institute. He is also certified through DT Swiss for advanced suspension repairs on mountain bikes. He can handle all bike repairs, including building wheels.
Rob is considering becoming a dealer of new bicycles and also offering bike rentals. Down the road, he may get into water sports equipment like kayaks. Being right on the river and close to the River Bend Trail route puts him in a great position to take advantage of both types of recreation.
“That’s part of the reason I picked this spot,” he said. “It’s a good junction of both resources.”
Rob has been racing bicycles for years. He was a member of the Titletown Flyers, the largest race team in the state. He’s ready to share his knowledge and love for bicycling with customers in Merrill.
Park City Cyclery is open Wednesday-Friday 4-8 p.m. and Saturday noon-4 p.m. The business can be reached at 715-539-8356.