We talked to: Leila of Northampton Bicycle and The Barb & Olive
We enjoyed learning more about Northampton Bicycle (a downtown staple) and The Barb & Olive from Leila!
Could you tell us more about Northampton Bicycle--how it began and how it has evolved?
The bike shop was started in 1971 by Gerard Paquin, and has been a mainstay in Northampton for nearly 54 years. We’re also the bike shop with a full bar, the only ones in Massachusetts! Since Gerard owns the entire building, including the bar space that Hugo’s Cafe used to occupy, it ultimately made sense for us to take it over and make it an integral part of the shop and business. Now we have this cool space that hosts events, features artwork, and offers creative cocktails.
The shop is successful on its own, so this is just a fun add-on with great offerings for the community. Initially, we tried to have it open from Tuesday to Saturday, with the vibe of being “your first drink, not your last.” We had just started getting more people coming in when Covid hit.
Though The Barb & Olive had to close at that point, the bike shop was closed for just 12 hours before we all returned the next day. The business was deemed essential, as we were included under the transportation umbrella. We actually did really well during Covid—people were psyched to get out and bike in nature during lockdown and in the extra free time many of us had.
We don’t have a lot of turnover here; we have a really solid crew that survived through the pandemic, and we look out for one another. It’s just a great feeling to have that kind of team, and I know this is where I’m supposed to be right now.
What do you appreciate about having a business in downtown Northampton?
Since we’re just outside of the walkable area, people don’t tend to wander down this far. But because we’ve been a downtown mainstay for so long now, people will intentionally visit us. Whether they are looking for a new bike or a tune-up, they know that they can always count on us. Also, we’re close to the rail trail, the Meadows, and other great scenic routes, and the rentals appreciate that. I look forward to future possibilities in town, which hopefully will include more retail space at some point.
Is there anything exciting coming up at the shop, particularly at The Barb & Olive?
Yes! This Friday, March 14th is Arts Night Out, and we’ll be featuring some works by the artist John Collins. Not only is he a talented sculptor who is known for both ice and clay creations, he’s also a fantastic painter. On Friday, he’ll be doing some quick clay studies of people who attend the event, which will be really fun. This is his first solo art opening, and we’re proud to have him. We’ve also got the shop cleaned up and ready for spring, with fresh paint, new flags, and plenty of great bikes and gear.
Any fun facts you'd like to share about the business?
Our team is a really solid unit, and as one of the older stores in town, people can rely on us for consistent friendly faces, offerings, and services, including but not limited to Shotzy, our beloved shop dog! She is an integral part of our team, and everyone loves to visit her. (She loves pets, please come meet her!)
And finally, what is your current favorite food/beverage?
Our Blackberry Sidecar at The Barb & Olive is delicious! And for food, I love sushi from Moshi Moshi year round. Venturing beyond Northampton, I enjoy tacos and drinks at Mission Taco in Easthampton.
