JRA Bikes & Brew owners Vincent and Tamera Gest hope customers think of their new business as a "destination" rather than a retail stop.
"This is a great central hub for off-road and mountain biking," said Vincent. "We wanted a place where when people are getting off the freeway ... they would see our location."
The couple, who used to live in Agoura, now reside in Thousand Oaks. Vincent, a racer and rider, was a prosthetist for over 20 years and formerly worked in an office in Camarillo.
"Tamera always wanted to open a coffee shop, and I wanted a bike store, so we decided to marry the two," Vincent said.
The 3,300-square-foot store opened May 22 and offers everything from off-road and mountain bikes to biking equipment and gear. There is also a full-service repair store.
"Our full-service coffee shop serves espresso and smoothies," Tamera said.
The couple wanted a comfortable place where bikers and non-bikers alike can sit, relax and enjoy the environment. There's even a lounge area.
"So often you have couples that come in; one is interested in biking the other isn't. So we created the lounge for those who just want to have their coffee in a comfortable atmosphere while they wait for their partner to shop," said Tamera.
Vincent said he has also met with Robbie Schaeffer, co-owner of the newly opened Pedaler's Fork in Calabasas, to discuss the new wave in biking.
"We are trying to grow the culture of cycling," he said. "It's already very bike-centric in the Conejo Valley, but we're trying to get away from the traditional retail store for local riders and coffee-lovers."
Currently, the store hosts several bike clubs and plan to host clinics and demo days.
JRA Bikes & Brew, which opens at 7 a.m. (except Mondays when it's closed) is located at 5019 Kanan Road. The phone number is 818-991-1572.
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