T
he walls are lined with cabinets full of orphaned parts— gears, derailleurs, crankshafts—and tools from decades past. Tall shelves in the middle of the room overflow with rainbow-colored accessories: lipstick red saddles, pink fluorescent pedals, and neon green handlebar tape. I have just entered 12 South’s cyclophile heaven, Halcyon Bike Shop. When Andrew Parker co-founded the shop in 2008, he took more than a few risks. For one, Nashville had just been ranked among the worst cities for biking in the United States. And then there’s the fact that the shop launched in the midst of the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression, at a time when many small bicycle shops were failing across the country. Still, in the heart of 12 South on Halcyon Avenue, Andrew wanted his bike shop to be a multipurpose, community-oriented facility that would help make Nashville a more bike-friendly, sustainable city. Andrew also came to the table with an unconventional business plan: an exciting, albeit unproven and unusual concept. Halcyon Bike Shop would only sell rebuilt used bicycles—no new bicycles at all. “I know a few people who thought I was crazy, but I had a strong belief in the sustainable concept,” Andrew says. Additionally, the plan included a public workshop just outside the shop’s back door. Today, frequent patrons and passersby
“We encourage everyone to walk in and talk to us, whether they are seasoned cyclists or new to the game.” complete al fresco repairs with free access to bicycle tools and professional advice from Halcyon’s mechanics, although donations are always welcomed. While that idea may sound a little crazy, too, it’s just another example of how well Halcyon serves its community. “I love Nashville.” says Andrew. “I wanted to open a bicycle shop here because that’s what the city needed. I could have moved west, where bicycle culture is more developed, but I chose to stay here. I want to do my part to help make Nashville better.” Andrew’s younger sister, Stephannie Parker, also an original Halcyon cast-member, doesn’t want any Nashvillians to hesitate when entering the biking world. “We never want anyone to be intimidated,” she says. Mechanic and assistant manager Chris Callis agrees,“We take great pride in our community and neighborhood. We encourage everyone to walk in and talk to us, whether they are seasoned cyclists or new to the game.” In 2009, Andrew expanded his influence outside of 12 South when he helped establish the Bike Workshop at the Oasis Center, along with Dan Furbish, a local cyclist. The Workshop offers underprivileged kids six free weeks of training in bicycle building, maintenance, and safety. All Halcyon mechanics have volunteered time with the program, and the shop has donated innumerable tools and bikes over the years. A recent addition to the Halcyon mechanic team, Chase Hardin 70
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AUGUST | 2012