Each month we highlight one of our retail partners to get to know them better. If you have a suggestion for a small business that would be a good home for Po Campo, drop us a line and let us know! Support your local retailers! #ShopLocal #ShopSmall
As told to us by Vanessa Buccella, BFF Bikes Co-Owner...
Tell us a bit about your shop
BFF Bikes will be having our 3rd birthday this March! We decided to open in Bucktown, because, for one reason, that was where we found a space that was available and in our budget. We knew we wanted to be in the Bucktown/Wicker Park/Logan Square area, so this space suits us well.
What makes BFF Bikes special?
Because BFF Bikes focuses more (but not entirely) on WOMEN cyclists, we are a pretty unique place. There’s a lot we do to separate us from the pack, like carry the smallest adult bikes for petite women and carry bibshorts and other nice riding gear for women. Aside from the products we stock, a huge part of BFF Bikes is our events. We do all kinds of events, from monthly fix-a-flat clinics, to group rides to trivia nights.
Our customers love us almost as much as we love them because of our high level of customer service, our dedication to women cyclists, and the fact that we like to get to know them. As the name implies, we want our customers to become friends with the shop and keep coming back for rides and events.
Why do you like having Po Campo bags in your shop?
Obviously, as a women focused shop, we love the problem that Po Campo solves: how to bring a stylish, functional bag or purse with you, comfortably on your bike. Back in the day, when Vanessa was a youngin’ going out on the town, it was difficult to find a bag that looked great and worked on her bike. Crossbody bags were the closest but they always slid from front to back, making riding difficult. Enter Po Campo’s solution, the handlebar bag. The fact that Po Campo is a woman owned business is the icing on the cake. We love Po Campo.
What's something you're excited about either in the future of your business, your industry, your city, or just in the world in general?
We are really excited that more and more women are getting into cycling. We also hope that all these ladies who take cardio spin classes will decide to try out the joys of a fast training ride someday soon.
Share a short story about a time when something happened at BFF Bikes and you were like, "Now THIS is why I do this!".
Gosh there are SO MANY of these stories. All the happy faces we have on our Instagram Feed of customers in their “New Bike Day” photos, always make us smile. We especially love when girls and young women get “serious” bikes. We love that the love of cycling will live on!
