We opened our amazing new store at 81 Coxe Avenue on Saturday, June 9th. Everybody felt the good vibe we built into our new location. 7 bikes went out the door with little fanfare. Maybe we are getting old, but it felt 'mature'.

For the past 18 months, BioWheels has been toiling over perhaps our greatest professional dream; a home for BioWheels as good as our name. "We're putting the 'Bio' in BioWheels", we explained simply to the bank. That was good enough for them. Effectively, we took a building in Asheville's Core Business District, that would have certainly been demolished by a myopic developer, and recycled it - the whole darn thing.

Here is the complete Photo Essay on the project.

Check out the Green Construction Critique from the Pros @ New Life Journal.

The Complete Construction Story is here in draft form:
BioWheels-Asheville’s Complete Construction Story

There are many folks who have helped get us to this point. Ian Lione has been our primary 'subcontractor extraordinaire'. Working closely with Ben Poss, PE & Matt Johnson, Ian is responsible for the bulk of the restoration & oversight of the new slab, window restoration & addition foundation & framing. Ole Sorenson of Solar Dynamics has helped us envision the technologies that are practical to our application- ie- in floor heat & solar heated water & floors. Isaac Savage from Home Energy Partners has helped with energy modelling & Icynene insulation. Cindy Meehan-Patton of Shelter Ecology has helped ensure that all touchable surfaces are non-toxic & environmentally friendly. John Chappell, PE. from Sims Engineers & Ben Poss, PE. of Poss Construction have both helped us show the City of Asheville that we can build a healthier & more sustainable retail structure than it has yet seen. Materials & fasteners were sourced almost completely through locally-owned family businesses.

A few other folks we'd like to mention are Rob Bullock (owner of Sante' Wine Bar). He fabricated & installed the beautiful, formaldehyde-free birch cabinetry. Asheville Kitchen Tops provided the recycled sunflower & newspaper counter tops. Our computer network details were designed by Marc Roberts of Firmworks . Our ADA friendly bathroom was completed by Terry Runion of Runion Enterprises. Our driveway was paved by French Broad Paving Company. The excellent 'knock-down' drywall was installed & finished by Jim Eitl and his crew. The soy-based Eco-paints have all been artistically applied by Robert Kroemer of Brilliant Painting. One of the greatest traits all of the afformetioned people have in common is their ability to think unconventionally & execute their work according to BioWheels guiding principles. Special thanks to the Asheville Streets Division, who upon my request, rebuilt our sidewalk & driveway entrance. Of all of the City employees that I worked with, extra special thanks go out Susannah Carver (permitting) & Ron Evans (plan review). These two individuals helped guide me through the long web of permitting. Our outdoor greenspace/gardens were graciously installed by Quality Forward.

Ian, Matt, Lela, Karen, Amber & Eric are working on it everyday - in all conditions. Our customers, racers, vendors & friends are going to dig what we have done. Keep your eyes on BioWheels for news of our grand opening celebration. It's hard to say exactly 'when' just yet, but we can confidently say, "BioWheels will be having a 'grand opening' sometime in the fall of 2007".

The building offers almost twice our current floor space, 3 times the wall display & an incredibly friendly shopping & work environment. For both Eric & Matt, 81 Coxe is truly a life-long dream come true. Did we mention the space doubles as a concert hall?