Berger's Bikeshop -- Origin and History
The historic downtown building currently housing Berger's Bike Shop and other businesses was originally built as a General Motors concept garage in 1903 by RC Blaisdell of the ubiquitous York Blaisdells. This was back before GM was in the automobile business, Blaisdell sold tractors and farm equipment as well as providing service. At one point, an offer from Ford to carry this new-fangled thing called a "car" was turned down in favor of continuing to sell tractors. Eventually, however, it became an auto dealership, Leighton Chevrolet, for much of the mid-century. Scott Berger's Father, Arthur Berger bought the building in the 1960s and continued the business as a full-service auto garage. In 1975, Bob Berger started the original Berger's Bikeshop out on Rt. 1 at York Corners. 1984 saw a change of ownership to current owner and manager Scott Berger, along with a move into Art's former garage. Storefronts were split out of it, with a barber anchoring one end since forever, Berger's Bikeshop at the town center end, and various retail and food vendors in between. Currently, Geraci's Barber Shop, Fat Tomato Grill, York Flower Shop, and Berger's Bikeshop line the York St. facade, with Needlework by the Bay around back. In the past, Berger's Bikeshop has carried some interesting and classic lines of bikes, including Takara, Puch, Golden Arrow, Bridgestone(!), Raleigh, Specialized, Cannondale, and Gary Fisher. Currently, we stock Trek bicycles and their Bontrager house brand accessories. We also continue to serve Green Mountain coffee, soft drinks, and frozen yogurt out back by the service department. We are a full service repair shop, servicing all brands and models, including top end bike builds by Shimano, SRAM, and UBI certified mechanics, basic tunes and tube swaps, custom wheel-builds by DT Swiss certified technician, and pretty much any service need you might have. Come visit a slice of the past: Scott's got antique bikes hanging from the Bethehem Steel spans; wander the shop and browse in cool comfort provided by bricks made from York river clay and blocks poured on site. Have a seat out front with a cool beverage, coffee, or FroYo and watch bustling downtown York Village for a while. We look forward to you visiting our shop. |
