Wheels in Motion quadruples size with new showroom, commmunity space

With its new expansion complete, Ann Arbor's Wheels in Motion is really living up to its name. Not only has the bike shop's jump from 2,500 to 10,000 square feet grown its showroom space, but it's also giving area cyclists a new place to meet, attend events and enjoy wintertime training. 

 

"We'd outgrown it, and it limited us quite a bit," says owner DeWight Plotner of the former space. "We could only show about a quarter of our merchandise. We had a basement full of product, but people just didn't know about it."

 

Wheels in Motion is truly a family business. Now in its third generation since opening in 1933, Plotner's wife, Jackie, and children Travis and Chelsie work there as well. The family began work on the expanded space in March and opened it to the public last week. 

 

The larger store allows for the display of bikes from all of cycling categories and includes an area for customers to order custom-made bicycles. What Plotner is most excited about, however, are the new community spaces, which include a conference room for guest speakers, classes and events, as well as space for bike trainers to be set up for cycling groups to continue their training throughout the winter. 

 

"We've designed it to be very active, socially," he says. "We've expanded to work with the community as it grows, and to try to increase cycling in general in the area." 

 

Plotner expects the physical growth of the store to spur the growth of his staff as well. With 15 employees, Wheels in Motion has added about four new jobs over the last year, and Plotner says he plans to add additional positions as needed with the store's continued growth.