Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. This series is as much about supporting companies as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.
Our spotlight today is on Eric and Ilene Marcos.
Business: Bicycle World
Owners: Eric and Ilene Marcos
Website: www.bicycleworldny.com
Address: 7 East Main Street Mount Kisco NY 10549
How did you come up with the name?
It was named when we bought the business.
Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
Bicycle World has been in Mount Kisco for over 50 years. We moved it to its current location about 15 years ago so that we could have more space.
Briefly, what business are you in?
Bicycle retail, sales and repairs
What's the most difficult moment or challenge you've faced as a business owner?
Buying the business from the previous owner was very challenging, it took over a year to seal the deal, but looking back it was totally worth it!
Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
It's always challenging, but every great job is. We knew it was the right choice.
What's been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?
Moving the store to our new building in 1999 and renovating the building was our proudest moment to date. We have just received permission from the town to renovate again, and we are really looking forward to making more improvements!
And, we have been chosen many years as one of the Top 100 bicycle stores in the United States- an honor that we work hard to achieve!
What's the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?
We have recently implemented a new point of sale system that automatically emails and/or texts customers when their bikes are ready from service or special orders arrive. It is a real time saver, and looks really professional. Customers always comment how much they like it.
How do you deal with difficult customers?
Carefully...we try to defuse "hot" situations and remind people that our ultimate goal is to make everyone happy. These situations are rare, and we try to handle them quickly and pleasantly.
We also realize that these situations are an opportunity to make a customer for life by reversing a "problem" into a real success.
How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
We provide free mechanical support and assistance for several local bike rides.
The Bedford Bike/Run, The White Plains Criterium, and the Golden Apple are all examples of local rides we support. We also provide donations for local fundraisers for schools and charitable organizations. And, at the holidays every year, we donate bikes - this year it was 75- to the Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco for them to distribute to children who could otherwise not afford them. We are also members of our local Chamber of Commerce and help decorate the town at the holidays.
Business: Bicycle World
Owners: Eric and Ilene Marcos
Website: www.bicycleworldny.com
Address: 7 East Main Street Mount Kisco NY 10549
How did you come up with the name?
It was named when we bought the business.
Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
Bicycle World has been in Mount Kisco for over 50 years. We moved it to its current location about 15 years ago so that we could have more space.
Briefly, what business are you in?
Bicycle retail, sales and repairs
What's the most difficult moment or challenge you've faced as a business owner?
Buying the business from the previous owner was very challenging, it took over a year to seal the deal, but looking back it was totally worth it!
Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
It's always challenging, but every great job is. We knew it was the right choice.
What's been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?
Moving the store to our new building in 1999 and renovating the building was our proudest moment to date. We have just received permission from the town to renovate again, and we are really looking forward to making more improvements!
And, we have been chosen many years as one of the Top 100 bicycle stores in the United States- an honor that we work hard to achieve!
What's the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?
We have recently implemented a new point of sale system that automatically emails and/or texts customers when their bikes are ready from service or special orders arrive. It is a real time saver, and looks really professional. Customers always comment how much they like it.
How do you deal with difficult customers?
Carefully...we try to defuse "hot" situations and remind people that our ultimate goal is to make everyone happy. These situations are rare, and we try to handle them quickly and pleasantly.
We also realize that these situations are an opportunity to make a customer for life by reversing a "problem" into a real success.
How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
We provide free mechanical support and assistance for several local bike rides.
The Bedford Bike/Run, The White Plains Criterium, and the Golden Apple are all examples of local rides we support. We also provide donations for local fundraisers for schools and charitable organizations. And, at the holidays every year, we donate bikes - this year it was 75- to the Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco for them to distribute to children who could otherwise not afford them. We are also members of our local Chamber of Commerce and help decorate the town at the holidays.
The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.
This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.
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Here's a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.
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