As efforts to revitalize the Hillyard Historic Business District continue, the co-owner of a new shop coming to the area is planning to be part of the progress.

“We’re going to give another reason that people have to stop and hang out in Hillyard,” says Scott Willegalle, co-owner of Hillyard Bicycle, which is expected to open March 7 in the 120-year old Kehoe Block building, at 5002 N. Market. “Hillyard is an up-and-coming community.” 

Hillyard Bicycle will occupy the 3,300-square-foot main floor of the nearly 120-year-old Kehoe Block building, which is listed on the Spokane and national historic registers.

The Kehoe building is owned by Bobby Whittaker and his partner, Sandra Bilbrey, through Kehoe Block LLC. The two plan to live in the space above Hillyard Bicycle once they finish renovations. 

Willegalle and his partner, Brenda Mangine, also own North Division Bicycle Inc., which is located at 10503 N. Division, just east of Whitworth University. Starting out, Hillyard Bicycle will have three employees, who will split time between both locations.

A main factor behind the decision to open a shop at the Kehoe building is the close proximity to the Children of the Sun walking and cycling trail, which runs parallel to the North Spokane Corridor.

Currently, the trail extends from Wandermere Road, in North Spokane, south to Marietta Avenue. The Washington state Department of Transportation will continue to extend the trail in coordination with the North Spokane Corridor construction. Later this year, the bike trail is expected to connect with the Centennial Trail and to the Spokane Community College campus, according to Ryan Overton, eastern region communications manager with WSDOT.

The easy access to the trail also influences the focus of Hillyard Bicycle.

“Our big play here is going to be bike rentals,” Willegalle says.

Hillyard Bicycle already has about 35 various types of bikes, including electric bikes, that will be available to rent, and the plan is to bring that total up to 50 types.

The short distance to the Children of the Sun trail makes rentals ideal for people who are visiting or who don’t have the means to transport a bike to a trail or safe riding area.

Customers will be able to reserve bikes to rent online, pick them up at the shop, and hop on the trail, which is expected to reach a length of about 12 miles when complete, the Journal previously reported.

The new store will carry a mix of new and used bikes, ranging from mountain bikes to road bikes to electric bikes.

“We cater to everyone that walks in the door,” Willegalle says. “We want to be a bike shop for everyone.”

Hillyard Bicycle primarily will sell the Trek Bikes brand.

“But we have access to many other brands too that can be ordered in,” he says.

A variety of electric bikes, including pedal-assist bikes and throttle-only bikes, will be available.

“We’re starting to see a lot of those people coming back to cycling because of the e-bikes,” says Willegalle, noting that some people had stopped cycling as they got older due to the physical demands.

A full line of cycling apparel and accessories, like pedals, shoes, helmets, gloves, glasses, and more will also be available at Hillyard Bicycle.

The shop will also have three full bicycle repair stands, Willegalle says, adding that his North Division store is well known in the community for its repair services.

“We’re going to really work hard to keep that culture here as well,” he says.

The Inland Northwest cycling community is large, Willegalle says, in part because of efforts from the city of Spokane.

“Spokane being very progressive on getting infrastructure for bicycles is huge,” he says.

Earlier this month, the League of American Bicyclists honored the city’s efforts with a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community award. The award recognizes Spokane’s commitment to improving conditions for people who bike through investments in pro-bike policies and infrastructure.

Eventually, Hillyard Bicycle will hold monthly “Cruise Hillyard” bike rides through the neighborhood.

Everyone who works at North Division Bicycle and Hillyard Bicycle has extensive industry experience, Willegalle contends.

“In my experience, over the long run, it takes three years to make a bike mechanic,” he says.

Willegalle has been working in the industry for nearly 40 years, since he was a teenager.

He and Mangine bought North Division Bicycle, which first opened in 1983, almost 10 years ago.

Willegalle says the plan is to build Hillyard Bicycle into a profitable store and come up with a succession plan so he and Mangine can hand over the stores and retire at some point.

The days and hours of the new store have not yet been determined.

Small Bites

The Vintage Print & Neon retail shop, owned by Spokane artist Chris Bovey and known for its handmade vintage Spokane prints, is moving to a new space at 1921 N. Monroe, in the street level of the triangular-shaped building at the northwest corner of Monroe Street and Northwest Boulevard.

Vintage Print & Neon is currently located in the heart of the Garland District, at 914 W. Garland. The store is expected to open in its new space in May, according to an announcement from the company.