Innovation & Job News

Ypsilanti's Tree Fort Bikes rides Web for success

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

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Bicycling, E-commerce, Internet, Transportation

Ypsilanti

Tree Fort Bikes got its start eight years with two guys and a dream of owning a bike shop. Today the Ypsilanti-based business has become a destination for mountain bikers and custom bikes in the e-commerce world.

"About three years ago we went online," says Alan Barnosky, a team member of Tree Fort Bikes. "That has been working very well for us."

The retailer has expanded to eight employees. Three new people over the last year, hired in capacities such as photographer and graphic designer, serve the company's e-commerce platform. The firm expects to add another 2-3 jobs this year in customer service and web design.

Tree Fort Bikes sells custom bicycles, mostly mountain bikes. They range in price from $250 to $7,000 apiece. It also sells a range of cycling gear. Some purchases are still made in the Ypsilanti store, but most happen over the Internet.

"That's where it's all heading now," Barnosky says. "We have a brick-and-mortar store and we'll maintain it, but 90 percent of our business comes from online."

Source: Alan Barnosky, team member of Tree Fort Bikes
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.