Dave's Bike Shop eyes Jan. 25 opening in new location

Dave Wilding of Dave's Bike Shop in his new location on Broadway.

Dave Wilding, owner of Dave’s Bike Shop in downtown Idaho Falls, is hoping to be open in his new location on Broadway, in the old Catmull’s store.

“There’s nothing really crazy we have to do, just framing and painting, just to make it ours,” he said. When they removed the old carpet they found hardwood floors underneath. Those will be sanded and sealed, because they still have marks from when the space was the Western Auto garage.

When it’s all said and done, they will have 8,000 square feet, a vast expansion over the space they’ve been in, next door to Chesbro’s. “The service area will be four times as big, and we will have a studio for bike fittings,” he said. “We want to keep the vibe of the old store, but just have a little more room to move.”

Wilding opened his store in late summer 2011 and has carved out a nice niche. “The community has been very supportive, easy to deal with and trusting,” he said. He started talking with Dale Catmull over year ago, as soon as he learned the furniture store would be closing.

Dave’s has been renting giant-tire bikes for people who like to ride in the winter. With spring and summer coming, they plan to start renting cruiser bikes for people who want to ride on the nearby Greenbelt.

“We like being downtown,” Wilding said. “I think there’s a certain feel. You’ve got more people out walking, and more cyclists. It’s fun to have the small restaurants nearby.”