Back At Work and Catching Up

Shop Coffee Mug

2016 has been an active year at Yojimbo’s Garage and I’m excited for the coming months.

First- I’ve been neglecting this blog but foot traffic in the bike shop has been good and I’ve been shipping a lot of happiness.  Assuming I continue to overlook posting here, check the shop’s Facebook page for updates or my personal fb for occasionally-related content.

Second- fresh, full-wrap logo shop mugs are arriving next week.  10% off advance orders until Sept 21 (“MUG” at checkout) on the Big Cartel page.

Thank you for your business- this has allowed the shop to tighten up some specialty services and inventory a great selection of spokes.  Over 50 varieties of spokes are now listed on eBay and I’m working on a “selection matrix” to streamline wheelbuilders’ ordering process.

This winter yojimbosgarage.com will be updated to include a secure “shopping cart” where you can order spokes, tools, supplies, etc easily with a credit card, Paypal, etc.  I’ve been shipping on a daily basis (including international) and over the last year have developed a quick, efficient, cost-effective system for spoke shipping.  Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Until this site is redone, please send me an email (currently invoicing through Paypal and Chase QuickPay) or shop through my eBay and Big Cartel pages.

Today’s post only scratches the surface of the exciting progress at Yojimbo’s Garage…  Come by the shop and take some of it in for yourself.

 

 

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Fresh Updates; Yearly Edition

Happy New Year!
Yeah, that happened since my last post 391 days ago.  But I think I’m getting the hang of this…

This last year a few things happened that I didn’t see coming.  I’d like to fill you in on everything but will stay brief here.  Feel free to reach out any time through email, calling the shop 312-587-0878 or stopping by in person.  I love getting visitors to the bike shop, the coffee’s usually fresh and at least one shop cat will be looking for attention, guaranteed.

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Timely deal here for the next couple weeks- Yojimbo’s Garage shirts in “custom” colors- only available for pre-orders and also 20% off if ordered before printing, which will take place in early December.  Order now.

T’shirts (unisex and female cuts), pull-over hoodies, full-zip hoodies and crew neck fleecy sweatshirts are getting made with choice of two fabric colors (black or slate gray) and six ink choices (white, light gray, light blue, orange, lime green or hot pink).  Shipping is available worldwide as well as in-person pick up, which saves a few dollars.

Most sales are done through walk-in traffic at the shop but the big cartel site has a small slice of what’s currently available.  I’ve listed some new old stock, out of production and other items to the ebay page recently too.  Contact me if you’re looking for something you don’t see there; most of the inventory is not online.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve slacked on my professional duties the last 12 months.  I’ve been splitting my time between the shop and helping the South Chicago Velodrome Association in the effort to save the 4 year old track on US Steel’s former South Works site; WTTW Channel 11 featured the effort on Chicago Tonight .  I stepped forward because no one had taken the steps necessary to keep the track from being removed from Chicago.  Helping to keep the velodrome here wasn’t something I prepared for but felt it was an important thing to do, both on a symbolic level as well as for the people of the city as a whole.  Having a track here is the best way to expose future generations of riders to the sport and maximizing that potential means reaching directly to nearby schools and creating opportunities…  I could write all day about this; needless to say- this is important in a lot of ways and close to my heart.  I didn’t mean to spend this much time away from the shop, sincerest apologies to my customers, but I had to do the right thing.  * The velodrome isn’t saved yet; please visit the web site to see where it’s at and how we can all help.  Great things will happen but it will require more people, funds and time.

If you haven’t been on our street recently, protected bike lanes have recently been installed on Clybourn Ave.  It’s taking a little “getting used to” but I welcome our new urban-planning overlords and am willing to be a part of this experiment.  Everyone has feedback and tips for improving the design; don’t hold back from giving me an earful during your next visit.

Shoutout to Trackasaurusrex and Radavist for the props.

If you’re looking for Yojimbo’s Garage on social media check out youtube, twitter, flickr, shop facebook and personal facebook (still a lot of shop stuff).  I know my online presence isn’t all that, but I’m still here.  Let’s catch up soon.
Thanks for your support and company in this life.

954 Days…

Helllooooo !!

Yes, 954 days without a blog post…  How have you been?  Don’t I wish we had time to catch up right now.

I just wanted to mention a few things- Yojimbo’s Garage is still doing great!  I’m keeping the coffee pot hot, started brewing basic tea too.  There is free wi-fi in the shop now too.

Three cats are keeping residence- Gracie, D.C. and Pearl.  They’re very friendly and often like to play, but please don’t spar them with your hands.

Online store !  This is only a basic start but some items are available now.  I started by listing wheelbuilding services, some related parts, T Shirts (arriving in a couple weeks) and a virtual tip jar.  Please check it out.  Let me know what you think.

Chi Cross Cup– our local jewel of a cyclocross series- is underway and I’m proud to be sponsoring the series again.  Everyone- thank the volunteers for their time, when you cross paths.

We’re getting a MTB park, on the South Side, thanks to numerous hard-working, wonderful people.

I was given a chance to ride a cool 128 year old bicycle in a couple of Independence Day parades.

Nelson Vails visited the shop and I recently painted the front doors

And did you notice?  I’ve been spending a lot more time on Facebook.  Over here too.

Yep, that about covers it for now.  I hope to see you again soon; don’t wait another 954 days to stop by! 😉

It’s January?

After riding around, without gloves, for a couple of days- January is here.  The snow is back to squash any desires to start digging in the garden again…

Yojimbo’s Garage is open the next four days, including today, and the 50% off sale is extended until Monday.  After then- the bright yellow sale tags will be removed from many items in the shop.

Happy New Year!

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Not Tidy Enough; New Years Coming

It is Friday and the beginning of my “work week”.

The shop is open today 2-7, tomorrow and Sunday 12-4 (I know it’s a holiday) and 2-7 Monday.

The half-off sale is going well with a rush expected in the next couple of days.

I’m trying to fill out the flickr collections with more photos, information and prices.  I’m trying to add to the craiglist ads as well.

Come by this weekend for a visit and have a safe New Years!

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2011 Tidy-Up

Another year is about to wrap and I’m finally getting around to some things I’ve been meaning to do all year…

To augment the big 50% off sale, I’ve listed a few dozen items on craigslist.  More items will be listed as I have time.

I’ve also updated my flickr page with the intention of making it easier to find bike stuff for sale without getting lost in everything else.

Take advantage of these deals during the last week of the year (everything in stock is on sale)…

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In contrast to bicycles leaving the shop, I’ve made a lot of new friends who have come into the shop through the Chainlink– one of my favorite local resources.  Thanks for stopping by!

Entertainments…

Autumn, why do you ride away so quickly?

The shop is in full-on sale mode, stop by to take advantage of the deals on everything in stock.

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Are you aware of today’s cyclocross race by Fish Lake?  Big thanks to Ted for hooking up the local community!

Wisconsin has some cross action today, as well.

 

Did I Mention the Sale?

Cleaning up the shop;
bunch of bikes
need a new home soon.

50% off everything*

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Equipment…

Big Deal Sale- 50% off everything in stock*

‎The Big Deal Sale starts…  yesterday.  50% off all bikes, frames (*except a few Pakes I just ordered), parts and accessories in stock. Seriously- I have too much inventory, lots of bikes, rims, miscellaney…  Come on by regular shop hours, call 312.587.0878 or email

Welcome Back

It’s been a while since I’ve made a blog post. Sorry.
If you’re a “facebook friend” you’ve seen the updates; if you’ve visited my flickr account, you’re aware of some customers smiles and other happenings…

It’s now November, there has been headway getting rid of excess inventory, but I still have a good amount that I don’t need.
I’ll be updating this site with new sale details before the weekend; looking to get rid of the 60+ new bikes and frames still on the rack (25 road, 31 track, 6 cross, 1 TT).

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