Bicycles a family affair for Delaware business:
Dunbar’s Cyclery celebrates 65 years in business
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” – John F. Kennedy
The exact date bicycles were invented is not entirely clear, but in 1861, the bicycle as we know it came to be when pedals and cranks were invented; that’s 150 years of cycling history! For almost half of that history, since 1946, Dunbar’s Cyclery has served the Delaware community selling bikes and cycling gear and providing exceptional service and repair.
Dunbar’s Cyclery has become a cornerstone in the Delaware business community through decades of experience. Co-owner, Skip Dunbar states, “The employees of Dunbar’s Cyclery have generations of bicycle knowledge and expertise that our family and technicians have acquired and passed down over the years.”
“Some bicycle shops only focus on racers and hard core riders,” says Dunbar. “We have fancy bikes too, but most know us as Delaware’s family-oriented bike shop. “
Dunbar’s Cyclery strives to provide customers with an exceptional experience, from sales to service. As Wendy Dunbar (Skip’s sister, and co-owner) puts it, “We know customers have many choices when it comes to buying a bicycle. Our customers choose Dunbar’s because they’ll get treated fairly. Our prices are competitive and if something breaks, we fix it. That’s what we’ve always done.”
In addition to bicycle sales, Dunbar’s Cyclery is fully equipped to perform repairs. Rich Schoonmaker, Dunbar’s top mechanic, started working at the store in 1968. “We’re a full-service repair shop. We do annual maintenance, basic tune-ups, as well as complex repairs and drive train cleaning to keep our customers and their bikes on the road,” says Dunbar.
Dunbar’s carries six major brands of bikes: Cannondale, Diamond Back, Fuji, Grant, Haro and Raleigh. Customers can choose from dozens of models from each brand. Dunbar’s Cyclery offers full service repairs on any make and model of bicycle, regardless of where it was purchased from.
Dunbar’s Cyclery fast facts:
- Original owner Paul Dunbar left his job at DuPont to start Dunbar’s Cyclery.
- Dunbar’s Cyclery first opened its doors in 1946 at 908 French Street in Wilmington.
- Rich Schoonmaker, Dunbar’s top mechanic, started working at the store as a teenager in 1968.
- Skip, Wendy, and Rich have each worked at Dunbar’s Cyclery for over 30 years.
- Dunbar’s Cyclery has been in the same location, at 801 Philadelphia Pike, since 1976.
- The high-wheeler that hangs on the front of Dunbar’s Cyclery was built together by Paul and Skip Dunbar and Rich Schoonmaker.
For additional information, contact Skip or Wendy Dunbar during regular business hours at 302-764-5802.