Katie de la Rosa

Kdelarosa@coloradoan.com

Not all stereotypes are true, but there's no denying Fort Collins lives up to its billing as a haven for bikes and beers.

So it should come as no surprise that Brave New Wheel, a 33-year-old Fort Collins bike shop, is applying for license to serve beer and wine to customers as they shop or wait for bike repairs at the 105 E. Myrtle St. store.

Deputy City Clerk Amy Jensen believes Brave New Wheel will be the only bike shop with a beer and wine license in Fort Collins, should its application be approved.

"It works for the type of bike shop we are," store manager Mike Woodard said. "We're a community hub where people feel comfortable hanging out."

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Woodard is adamant the shop won't become a bar, unlike Road 34, the 1213 W. Elizabeth St. bike shop that over time also blossomed into a bar. Alcohol is served in the bar part of Road 34, but patrons cannot take their alcoholic drinks into Road 34’s bike shop.

That's not the type of vibe Brave New Wheel wants to create.

"We want to stay a relaxed environment. Our hours won't change. We're just going to be a little more specific, unique," Woodard said.

Overall, there are about 350 liquor licenses in Fort Collins, Jensen said.

As part of the application, Brave New Wheel needs to garner 500 signatures from residential and business neighbors within a 1-mile radius by Monday. As of Wednesday, the shop had about 150 signatures.

A hearing on the application is set for Feb. 4

If the Liquor Licensing Authority approves the application, the city clerk’s office sends it to the Colorado Department of Revenue for review. The state will process and issue a state liquor license within one to two months. The store expects to receive the city and state licenses at the same time.

The move to seek the beer and wine license is in part an effort for Brave New Wheel to distinguish itself in a market flooded with bike shops, Woodard said. There are about 23 bike shops in town. But it's also a new design some bike enthusiasts say could easily catch on and soon become a trend in Fort Collins.

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John Lambert, manager of Recycled Cycles in Fort Collins, said he believes selling beer and wine at bike shops has great potential to become the norm. His store at 4031 S. Mason St. partners with the neighboring 1933 Brewing Co. to host events.

Gearage Outdoor Sports, 119 E. Mountain Ave., has partnered with Pateros Creek Brewing Co., 242 N. College Ave., for events. But Gearage owner Joe Bagley thinks selling beer in a bike shop — for now — is more tailored to Brave New Wheel's niche.

"They've got a cult following and a location right next to campus," Bagley said. "That makes sense for them."

Gearage has toyed with the idea of serving coffee, another type of brew that goes well with cycling, Bagley said.

David Klausa, who works at the Fort Collins Bike Co-op, said serving beer seems like a no-brainer for businesses, as it generates extra revenue and has the potential to draw in new customers.

"Everybody goes where the beer is," Klausa said.

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