I logged into the website today and the handy-dandy counter reminded me that there are only 12 days left until the doors of Sultana Cycles officially open for business. Egad! So much to do in less than 2 weeks, but we have been working hard. Aaron has been dutifully poring over the catalogs non-stop for the last week trying to develop an inventory. I haven't been quizzing him, but I bet that if he doesn't order exactly what you need, he will certainly know what's available to special order inside out and backwards.
I, on the other hand, have been brushing up on my old-skool-paint skillz (and actually found the spray-painter-function truly useful for the first time in my life) and, with one vital flash of inspiration on my ride over Mingus Mountain on Friday, developed a couple of initial logos for us to work with. This has also taken an immense amount of time but has been an interesting learning experience on how we view the world. It's amazing how divergent our imaginations go, even when we think we've agreed on a concept.
This week: The first order of bikes, parts and accessories goes in! We decide on a logo for the business cards. And we tackle signage -- sure to be riddled with its own challenges on the outside of a historic building.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
What's Behind Door #1?
So far, a gorgeous display case, the neon bud light sign, and a single well-loved (and untouchable) Bontrager are all that adorn the future home of Sultana Cycles. But out the door has gone a lot of dust, grime, burnt out light bulbs, and empty beer bottles...
Aaron and I have spent countless hours already cleaning, arranging, chasing down furniture, rearranging, brainstorming, rearranging, debating the merits of slat wall versus grid wall, rearranging ... you get the picture. Hopefully, most of the annoying things are done -- like dealing with the lease, the Department of Revenue, the City of Prescott, the bank, the phone company, etc. So now the fun can begin -- combing through hundreds of pages of bike-parts-magazines to develop an inventory of bicycles and parts! Luckily, Aaron has tons of experience as a bicyclist and mechanic and has kept up to date with the value and functionality of various bicycle parts. I, on the other hand, am useful only for an expert opinion on what is the shiniest.
Want to come by and watch the transformation? We are conveniently located off South Montezuma behind the Arts Prescott Gallery, or follow the neon beacon of the Whiskey Row Alley sign, just opposite the parking garage. Door #1 will be open when we are.
Aaron and I have spent countless hours already cleaning, arranging, chasing down furniture, rearranging, brainstorming, rearranging, debating the merits of slat wall versus grid wall, rearranging ... you get the picture. Hopefully, most of the annoying things are done -- like dealing with the lease, the Department of Revenue, the City of Prescott, the bank, the phone company, etc. So now the fun can begin -- combing through hundreds of pages of bike-parts-magazines to develop an inventory of bicycles and parts! Luckily, Aaron has tons of experience as a bicyclist and mechanic and has kept up to date with the value and functionality of various bicycle parts. I, on the other hand, am useful only for an expert opinion on what is the shiniest.
Want to come by and watch the transformation? We are conveniently located off South Montezuma behind the Arts Prescott Gallery, or follow the neon beacon of the Whiskey Row Alley sign, just opposite the parking garage. Door #1 will be open when we are.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Coming Soon -- July 2009 !!
Sultana Cycles, a retail and service bicycle shop, will open July 2009 -- as the first business located in the alley behind historic Whiskey Row in Prescott, Arizona.
Although a small business in a small-town alley may seem mundane to some, this shop is a ten-year dream in the making for my husband, Aaron Ruda. Aaron grew up on bicycles in the Prescott area and has worked as a bicycle mechanic at various shops in Northern Arizona for the past 10 years. I dug a school photo out of a box in his parents' garage recently -- a gap-toothed ten-year-old with a BMX t-shirt on.
I'll happily note that Aaron has 10 bicycles in the garage, some of which I am not allowed to touch. Road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX bikes ... even a little vintage turquoise deal he's been saving for a someday-daughter. He has years worth of adventures and scars.
In contrast, I learned how to ride a bicycle at the age of 23 while on vacation with my mother. She laughed at my many crashes, but I was happy so long as I had a basket with a toy dog in the front. After crashing Aaron's numerous times, I finally have a single bicycle to call my own -- a shiny blue 29-er -- and am comfortable enough on it to start jumping (small) curbs.
Despite our varied backgrounds, Aaron and I both believe that riding a bicycle should be fun. Yes, it's a piece of machinery that gets you to point B a little bit faster than walking and with a little less GHGs than driving. Yes, it's a tool to get you over the mountain or through the bowls and props to impress the skatepark girls. Yes, it has a function, just like your toothbrush, your salad-shooter, and that piece of rubber you keep in the kitchen drawer for opening jars. But at the end of the ride, get off your bicycle smiling. This is what we hope to share with you.
Although a small business in a small-town alley may seem mundane to some, this shop is a ten-year dream in the making for my husband, Aaron Ruda. Aaron grew up on bicycles in the Prescott area and has worked as a bicycle mechanic at various shops in Northern Arizona for the past 10 years. I dug a school photo out of a box in his parents' garage recently -- a gap-toothed ten-year-old with a BMX t-shirt on.
I'll happily note that Aaron has 10 bicycles in the garage, some of which I am not allowed to touch. Road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX bikes ... even a little vintage turquoise deal he's been saving for a someday-daughter. He has years worth of adventures and scars.
In contrast, I learned how to ride a bicycle at the age of 23 while on vacation with my mother. She laughed at my many crashes, but I was happy so long as I had a basket with a toy dog in the front. After crashing Aaron's numerous times, I finally have a single bicycle to call my own -- a shiny blue 29-er -- and am comfortable enough on it to start jumping (small) curbs.
Despite our varied backgrounds, Aaron and I both believe that riding a bicycle should be fun. Yes, it's a piece of machinery that gets you to point B a little bit faster than walking and with a little less GHGs than driving. Yes, it's a tool to get you over the mountain or through the bowls and props to impress the skatepark girls. Yes, it has a function, just like your toothbrush, your salad-shooter, and that piece of rubber you keep in the kitchen drawer for opening jars. But at the end of the ride, get off your bicycle smiling. This is what we hope to share with you.
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