Page 33 - Flathead Beacon // 4.2.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
BUSINESS
APRIL 2, 2014 | 33
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HEN GLACIER CYCLERY preserve and develop mountain biking

opened in downtown White- activities in the Flathead Valley. Ron Pete Siudara extracts a
ish 32 years ago, owners Ron Brunk has served as a representative on crank on a bike Thursday,
and Jan Brunk sold so few bi- the city’s Bicycle-Pedestrian commit- March 27, 2014. Glacier
cycles that the couple can still tee, and helped divine the plans for the Cyclery in Whiteish was
remember who bought what irst paved paths in Whiteish, sketching recently recognized as
model, and in some cases even the color, the trails on a bar napkin at Great North- one of the best bike shops
because each sale was so memorable.
ern Bar with a clutch of other locals.
in the U.S.
“Whiteish was the quintessential “By virtue of being around as long as
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
small town,” Ron Brunk said. “We used we have, we’ve done quite a bit of advo-
to be able to toss the Frisbee on Central cacy in the community,” he said.
Avenue and not dodge traic.”
Further testimony of the shop’s dis-
As Whiteish grew up around the tinguishing characteristics is the stay-
tiny bike shop, the sport of cycling came ing power of the staf.
of age, too, and through its own evolu- Bike mechanic Michael Meador has
tions Glacier Cyclery has burgeoned into been with Glacier Cyclery for 16 years,

a ixture of the community and a model The rating was based on a strict set of ble service we can,” Ron Brunk said after raising a young family in a community
of small business success.
criteria over six separate categories, as receiving the honor.
he’s passionate about serving and living.
The core of Glacier Cyclery’s busi- well as feedback from a mystery caller, Only one other bike shop in Montana Having worked in six bike shops prior to
ness tenets haven’t changed much, a mystery shopper and an in-store visit.
received the acknowledgement.
moving to Whiteish, Meador said the
though, and the Brunks still cater to the Glacier Cyclery scored perfect marks “In our industry it’s a pretty cool secret behind Glacier’s success is simple.
local cyclists who supported them from in the categories of marketing excel- award and we’re really proud of it,” Jan “Everybody here loves bikes, and
the beginning – some of whom are now lence, community involvement, local Brunk said. “Our customers come from they’re good folks,” he said.
buying bikes for their own children.
and national advocacy, and knowledge- throughout the valley and they are the Bike mechanic Kyle Watkins said

As a small shop in a community they able staf.
people who make us continue to want to the recognition from the National Bi-
love, the Brunks never set out looking The shops were asked to ill out a de- provide the best possible service we can. cycle Dealers Association was airming
for glitz and glamor. Nevertheless, a lit- tailed application describing what sets We have longtime employees who are because it rated the shop based on merit,
tle luster is always welcome.
them apart from the average store. Mys- wonderful, so really they get the award, rather than in a popularity contest.
Recently, Glacier Cyclery received an tery shoppers then evaluated the busi- but Glacier Cyclery got the designation.”
“It meant something because we ac-
auspicious nod from the National Bicy- ness in more detail by visiting the store, During the application process, sto- tually worked for it,” Watkins.
cle Dealers Association, joining a short reviewing their website, and contacting ries came in from all over the country of The recipients of the title are rated

list of businesses named among Ameri- the shop by phone to assess the perfor- shops that donate bicycles to children, not only for the shopping experience,
ca’s best bike shops.
mance from a consumer’s perspective.
work to ind safe routes to schools, build but also for community support and bi-
Out of the more than 4,000 bike “We are quite proud of this acknowl- bike trails and organize free rides to get cycle advocacy, both locally and nation-
shops in the United States, only 170 were edgement and would like to take this op- people outside and help them maintain a ally.
awarded the prestigious honor, which, portunity to not only pledge to continue healthy lifestyle.
“We’re pretty blessed to have such
unlike other industry bike shop awards, to keep up the good work, but to thank At Glacier Cyclery, the staf of bike an experienced staf,” Ron Brunk said.
is not garnered based on high-volume you, our customers, for making us con- mechanics is closely involved with the [email protected]
orders with bicycle companies.
tinue to want to provide the best possi-
Flathead Fat Tires, a club that works to