Syracuse, N.Y. — A Syracuse bicycle shop, once threatened with having to close as a “non-essential” business, is figuring out a way to keep some money coming in.

Syracuse Bicycle was among the bike shops statewide that had to shut down when the state closed all non-essential businesses to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Paul Komanecky, the owner of Syracuse Bicycle, faced the prospect of closing and sending home his 15 employees at the start of his busy season.

On March 20, Komanecky submitted an application to Empire State Development to designate his business as “essential,” so he could reopen. Other bike shops did the same.

On March 22, the state approved the request. ESD allowed bike shops to continue because they provide transportation services.

But Komanecky had to retool his operation.

During the shutdown, the state limited Komanecky’s retail sales: All sales must be conducted over the phone or online.

Under new guidance from the ESD, retail sales are allowed for remote orders, but only if just one employee is physically present at the location to fulfill orders.

The shop also will deliver new and repaired bicycles to your door and pick up bikes that need repairs.

A shopper must call or FaceTime the store and arrange a visit, where the bike would be brought out to the parking lot for the shopper, Komanecky said. The door is locked to anyone without an appointment, he said.

Komanecky says the store didn’t rely on deliveries before, but the demand has increased exponentially in recent weeks. He bought a new van in December, which has come in handy.

The store, at 2540 Erie Boulevard East, is averaging about 20-30 repairs per day. But overall store revenue is down 50 percent. Bicycle fittings, or the adjustment of a bike’s seats, stems, handlebars or brake levers to make the customer as comfortable as possible, are no longer available.

He’s starting what should be his peak season. His shop is only profitable for five months: April-August.

“It’s a better situation than a lot of people are in, but it’s tough to decide whether we should be doing this or not,” he said.

Komanecky typically employs 15 people, most of which are part-time. He reduced his staff to three. The only people working are a couple of mechanics and the store manager, Zak Field, who coordinates the pickups and deliveries.

Komanecky bought gloves and disinfectant spray, as well as plexiglass sneeze-guards at the cash register. All surfaces and common touch points throughout the store are consistently sanitized, including computers, phones, workspaces and bikes. He also bought 70 N95 masks from eBay for $750, a price he called exorbitant.

Customers are required to keep their hands in their pockets or wear sterile gloves when handling products. They try to stay 6 feet apart.

Komanecky recommends that customers call before visiting the store so employees can manage foot traffic, prepare orders, ready repairs or answer questions. You have to pay by credit card in advance.

As a result, he applied for the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program loan, to help alleviate the losses.

“We’re doing the best we can, but this was a tough one, especially because our season’s so short. We won’t rebound from this, even if this thing ended in a week,” Komanecky said.

Contact Mike Curtis anytime at mcurtis@syracuse.com or find him on Twitter at @MikeACurtis2.

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