Bike Shop Turns 100 - Oldest Cyclery in America

Dec. 1, 2009 - PRLog -- Lloyd Garrison Bumstead II, great, great, grandson of the founder, Lloyd Garrison Bumstead will preside over the store's 100th Birthday celebration December 4-6.  Bumstead's Bicycles is located at the corner of 4th and Mountain Ave in Ontario.  The sale will last all weekend with the party starting at 1:00 on Sunday.

Ontario California is best known for it's airport and the grandest motor speedway ever built, but this weekend Ontario will also be home to a birthday party for what may be the most romantic jewel in America.  Bicycles are clearly a romantic symbol and in America, the idea of owning your own small family businesses is iconic.  Combine the two and you have the oldest bike shop in America continuously owned by one family being run by the 4th and 5th generation and carrying on the family name as well.

Founded just 25 years after the "invention" of the modern bicycle, Bumstead's is known for more than just it's longevity.  Lloyd explains, "We were the first Schwinn Shop in Southern California.  And since most historians consider Schwinn stores to have been the the first franchises, our business was at the forefront of both the huge Schwinn domination of the business and of the franchise concept.  At one time Schwinn was one of the most recognized brands in America, right up there with Coke and Chevrolet."

Bumstead's has overcome difficult times, even in the recent past, but during the current recession, sales have increased over 30%, and the company is getting stronger as it enters its second century.

"So we're having a multi-purpose party," says Garrison.  We're saluting our forefathers, thanking the community for its support, and celebrating our near-death experience and survival."  The entire cycling community of all ages is invited to come over and share some of the best Taco's available in this city or any other.  We have loads of door prizes to give away including two bicycles.

The sale starts Friday December 4 and last through the party on Sunday.  The party starts at 1:00 on Sunday and goes until we run out of Tacos and free stuff.

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Bumstead's Bicycles is the oldest retail bike shop in the United States that has been under the same family ownership. They are located one mile south of the 10 Freeway Mountain Exit at the corner of 4th Ave.