Jay is finally taking a well-deserved rest after almost 40 years at the Bike Gallery. Jay’s father, Bob Graves, started the Bike Gallery in 1974 and Jay’s been working in the business since he was 15 years old. Jay has put his heart and soul into the Bike Gallery and the Portland cycling community. That’s why when it came to retiring and selling Bike Gallery he was ready to wait until he found the right people. Over the years he’s had several offers to buy the business, but none he felt would continue his family’s legacy of customer service and dedication to the Portland community.
Mike Olson and Kelly Aicher
The partnership of Kelly Aicher, a 16-year Bike Gallery employee, and Mike Olson, a successful San Diego bicycle shop owner he’s known for years, represented just the type of relationship that would ensure such a legacy. So on December 1st, Kelly Aicher and Mike Olson officially purchased the Bike Gallery from retiring Jay Graves. If you want to know more about the sale, you can read the Portland Business Journal’s recent article.
Mike runs a very successful business in San Diego and the Bike Gallery will no doubt benefit from his vast retail knowledge. But while this transition has been big news in the Portland cycling community, you should still feel right at home. Bike Gallery will keep its name and run independently from Mike’s stores in Southern California (Trek Bicycle Superstore). We still have the same smiling faces to greet you at our stores and we will continue our commitment to the highest customer service and to the Portland community (including Cycle Oregon).
Jay’s sale to Kelly and Mike also ensured Bike Gallery’s ongoing relationship with Trek Bicycles. Bike Gallery has partnered with Trek since 1976 and we’ve been proud to support the only US-based, family-owned bicycle brand. Mike’s retail operation is also built around the Trek brand and even has a licensing agreement with Trek to use its name (as in the Trek Bicycle Superstore of San Diego).
For many of us who have gotten to know Jay personally over the years, it’s like losing a friend. But we are also happy for him; he now has the opportunity to focus on what his heart truly loves: bicycle advocacy. It’s no doubt that Jay has left big shoes to fill, but we will strive to create a legacy that Jay would be proud of.
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