After 101-years, this California enterprise is shutting down on August 31; proprietor says in an emotional word: Choice comes with …

California enterprise is shutting down

After greater than 101 years in enterprise, a Bay Space establishment is closing up store.

The century-old fixture of the Bay Space biking group will completely shut its doorways on the finish of the month, marking the tip of an period for one of many area’s oldest bike retailers.

Hank & Frank Bicycles, which first opened in 1925, introduced that its closing day of enterprise might be August 31.

The store started operations on East 14th Road in Oakland earlier than relocating a number of occasions, finally establishing its everlasting residence in Lafayette, the place it has operated for the previous 52 years.

The enterprise modified palms 57 years in the past when Dale Dryer took over from authentic founder Hank.

His son, Frank Dryer, grew up sweeping the flooring and assembling tricycles earlier than buying the Lafayette storefront from his father in 1991.

Why the 101 12 months store is shutting down

In contrast to many latest legacy enterprise closures pushed by on-line competitors or rising operational prices, the shutdown comes because the constructing modifications palms.

The property’s new house owners plan to transform the area right into a dance studio, prompting the youthful Dryer to decide on retirement reasonably than relocate.

Dryer famous that whereas he’s saddened to depart the group, the timing felt proper, significantly with no successor to hold on the household commerce.

Buyer loyalty remained regular all through the many years, bolstered by a longstanding promise of free lifetime tune-ups with each bicycle buy.

To honor that dedication after the storefront closes, Dryer has organized for a neighboring unbiased store in Walnut Creek to take over the lifetime service perk for present patrons.

Patrons and longtime cyclists are visiting the Lafayette location in its closing days to buy bikes, schedule tune-ups, and share farewell notes with the workers earlier than the store closes its doorways for good on August 31.

What the word on shutting down says

Hank & Frank Bicycles Broadcasts Retirement After 101 Years of Neighborhood ServiceAfter greater than a century of serving Bay Space riders, households, and adventurers, Hank & Frank Bicycles will formally retire and shut its doorways on August 31, 2026.

This choice comes with full hearts, deep gratitude, and an everlasting love for the group that has carried us for generations.A Legacy Constructed on BeliefBased in 1925, Hank & Frank has been a uncommon fixed in a altering world—a 101-years legacy stewarded by solely two households.

When Dale Dryer took over the enterprise from Hank 57 years in the past, he carried ahead a practice of workmanship, honesty, and neighborly care.

Immediately, as we put together to shut this chapter, we mirror with gratitude on the generations of shoppers, workers, associates, and households who made this store way over a spot to purchase or service a bicycle.

Why This Store Has At all times MatteredOur “why” has all the time been easy: to assist folks expertise the liberty, confidence, connection, and pleasure {that a} bicycle can carry.

Whether or not it was a toddler’s first trip, a household’s weekend journey, a commuter’s every day route, or a lifelong bicycle owner’s subsequent nice bike, we have now believed that each rider deserves care, respect, and steering they’ll belief.

We have now had the privilege of watching kids develop up on our bikes—then return years later to purchase bikes for their very own kids. We have now seen households trip by milestones, seasons, and lifetimes with us.

From our authentic residence on East 14th Road in Oakland, by a number of areas over the many years, to our closing and beloved residence within the Metropolis of Lafayette for the previous 52 years, each group we have now served has formed who we’re.

With Deep GratitudeTo all of you—our riders, neighbors, associates, and prolonged household—thanks. Thanks on your belief, your tales, your pleasant smiles, your loyalty, and your perception in what a neighborhood bike store can imply to a group.

You invited us into your lives at birthdays, graduations, weekend rides, first commutes, race days, repairs, upgrades, and unusual moments that grew to become lasting reminiscences.

Your assist allowed us to do what we cherished for greater than a century: serve folks nicely, stand behind our work, and assist hold generations of riders rolling safely, fortunately, and confidently.

That may be a present we are going to by no means take without any consideration.Wanting Forward As we glance forward, we additionally stay up for wishing Frank a joyful and well-earned subsequent chapter.

On the similar time, we’re actively looking for the precise particular person to hold on this extraordinary legacy, and we are going to hold our group knowledgeable as that search continues.

Between now and August 31, 2026, we invite you to cease by and be a part of this closing season with us:* Select your subsequent high quality bicycle.* Schedule service with our distinctive mechanics.

* Share a reminiscence, a narrative, or a easy hey.* Allow us to thanks in particular person for being a part of our journey.

It has been our honor to assist hold you transferring for therefore a few years. Greater than something, we hope you understand how deeply grateful we’re—for each mile shared, each relationship constructed, and each second of belief you positioned in us.With honest gratitude,The Hank & Frank GroupHank & Frank Bicycles