dennis.jpg

Two Wheel Tango owner Dennis Pontius pictured inside the bike shop in 2010.

(The Ann Arbor News file photo)

Two Wheel Tango has closed its three bike shops after the owner learned last week the dealer agreement with the store’s primary vendor was ending.

The bike shop has locations at 3162 Packard St. in Ann Arbor, 4765 Jackson Road in Scio Township and 6111 N. Canton Center Road in Canton.

In a statement issued to The Ann Arbor News, Two Wheel Tango owner Dennis Pontius wrote:

“Being that this was an unexpected challenge for our business, we are temporarily closing while we move forward. For the last several days, our primary focus has been reaching out to our staff and customers. We are making every attempt to deliver repairs and existing orders. We are truly sorry if this inconveniences those who have supported us over the years.”

Pontius opened the original Two Wheel Tango bike shop at 3162 Packard St. in 1998. A shop opened on East Hoover in 2001, but that store closed three years later when the shop at 4765 Jackson Road opened. Two Wheel Tango opened in Canton in 2011.

Two Wheel Tango owns the buildings on Packard Street and Jackson Road. The Packard Road building has been listed for sale for several years for $550,000.

Two Wheel Tango sells road, mountain and hybrid bikes. Brands offered at the stores include Specialized, Waterford Bikes, Gunnar Bikes, Seven Cycles and All-City.

In an interview with The Ann Arbor News, Pontius said he was not comfortable discussing the details of the dealer agreement with the business's primary vendor.

“We prefer not to talk about them at the moment,” he said.

Pontius said Two Wheel Tango employees have spent the last few days contacting people who recently purchased bikes from the shop.

"There were a couple people whose deposits we refunded, and then everybody else I think we've made arrangements for them to pick up their bike and we've delivered all but a couple of them at this point."



Pontius said there were some customers who could not be reached via phone He said customers should email contact@twowheeltango.com with any questions or concerns.

Pontius said they are still reaching out to people who have scheduled bike repairs at Two Wheel Tango locations.

“I think the thing we really want to emphasize is we really appreciate all the support people have been giving us. It’s been our life for 16 years. ...There’s a community that surrounds Two Wheel and it has been heartening how those people have rallied around us.”

Pontius said he would like to reopen the Two Wheel Tango stores, but said it was too early to determine if that will happen.

“It certainly is potentially a goal. We are trying. At this point, unfortunately, because it was so sudden, we haven’t explored what our options even are. We’ve only started to do that,” he said.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-255-2638, email her lizzyalfs@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.