Cass City's Scott Ackerman Built a Booming Bicycle Repair Shop and Sales Business

This article was originally published by ​The Tuscola County Advertiser.

CASS CITY — The advent of spring means many things — the migration of snowbirds (feathered and otherwise) back to their northern homes and the blooming of flowers.

For Cass City businessman Scott Ackerman, it signals the beginning of the busy season for him at Ackerman’s Bike Repair.

The business, which is now the Thumb’s leading bike shop, started out on a whim.

When Cass City’s True Value Hardware Store closed in 1985, Scott Ackerman found himself without a job. His search for work took him all the way to Flint but proved fruitless.

“I went all over and couldn’t find a job anywhere,” he says. “So, I said ‘Well, is there anything I could do that I have experience doing until something else comes along?’”

It turns out that that “something else” was repairing bicycles.

“I fixed a few bikes in my dad’s driveway, then eventually moved to his shed,” Ackerman reports. “I was given some used bikes, and sold them locally.” Unemployed, but realizing he had both a knack for bike repair and a growing clientele; he began putting together a business plan.

One of the first and most important components of his plan was to find a permanent location. After looking at several storefronts on Main Street and other locations, Ackerman was directed to a lot at the end of Pine Street. He removed an existing building from the property, and then began building the structure his shop currently occupies, in 1991.

“I started with four new bikes and very few parts,” he said, smiling.

“I bought out a guy in Caro and stored the parts in my church’s garage.”

Looking to expand his business without accumulating a great deal of debt, Ackerman says he started out slowly and steadily gained momentum. “The economy was still pretty good in the ‘90’s and things just built up from there.”

Today, 28 years after its humble beginning, the bicycle repairman says his business is still going strong. “I’m the only full bike store in the Thumb.” With between 40-60 bicycles ranging from child to adult models on the floor at any given time, the selection is surprisingly large for being in such a small community. “[The store] seemed like a lot of space when it was being built”, the owner says as he looks over the room, now filled to capacity. “But I still wouldn’t want it any bigger.”

From children’s and BMX styles to mountain bikes, hybrids, and the increasingly popular  cruiser line, Ackerman’s diverse stock of bicycles mirrors the variety of terrains and uses people will encounter in the Thumb region. “There are certain brands I don’t carry, but there are no types of bikes I cannot get,” he says.

In regards to sales, Ackerman is a proponent of quality bicycles, but says he won’t force anyone into a product they aren’t interested in. “I carry quality bikes. They’re high quality compared to the department stores’. There are so many things the average person doesn’t realize about bicycles, but I’m not the type to push everyone into a top quality bike. Not everyone has $200 to put into one.”

The store owner says that, while the prices of his bikes are a bit higher than the department stores due to their higher quality, his prices are very fair. “I stay below the suggested retail price. I’m still cheaper than city prices.”

When it comes to buying a bike, Ackerman offers consumers a few pointers.

1. Look for aluminum wheels with aluminum hubs and stainless steel spokes.

2. Aim for a lighter bike – the lighter the bike, the easier it will be to pedal.

3. If you’re in the market for a higher quality bike, prepare for a more comfortable seat, long-lasting and better quality paint/decals, and a stronger frame.

In addition to his selection of bikes for sale, Ackerman is primarily known throughout the area for the work his business’ name advertises– bike repair. “The only bikes I won’t repair are the ones that aren’t repairable,” he says with a grin. While the shop is open year round, the busy season runs from the beginning of April through the end of June. According to Ackerman, during the summertime, the Thumb is a vacation spot for many from the Detroit area. “When they get a flat tire, they go to the phone book and find my shop. The only other bike shops are in Bay City, Saginaw, and Port Huron.”

“I don’t expect every customer to understand all the components of bike [repairs and sales],” he commented. “But I’m here to explain all that.”

Ackerman’s Bike Repair is located at 6247 Pine Street in Cass City and welcomes the public to stop by. For more information or to schedule a repair, contact Scott at (989) 872-4930.​