Store will sell, repair, rent bikes
By Vicky Wedig
Editor
Cyclist Tony Valenti plans to open a bicycle sales and repair shop downtown next month.
Valenti, a 2006 Delavan-Darien High School graduate, is remodeling the former Steamer’s Sip and Ship store at 303 E. Walworth Ave. He plans to open Avant Bicycle Supply in the 1,800-square-foot store by mid-April.
The historic building was a bank from 1909 until about 15 years ago, Valenti said. It was then the Sip and Ship – a store that shipped FedEx packages and served ice cream and coffee, but has been vacant for four to five years.
Valenti, a cyclist who began racing competitively about five years ago, plans to operate a full-service retail and repair bicycle shop in the building. The store will service and sell bicycles and accessories.
He said he has partnered with Olympic Supply Co., of Milwaukee, which has opened its catalog to the store. Valenti said he will be able to sell anything Olympic Supply Co. offers on its website. Items he doesn’t carry in his store can be ordered there for next-day delivery, he said.
Avant will also rent mountain bikes and city bikes and plans to have a monthly community ride, Valenti said. He said the store also plans to have giveaways and kids’ cycling clinics.
Valenti began renovations in the store more than a month ago and received half of his inventory last week. He said he expects to receive his bicycle inventory this week. The store also will sell kids’ bikes and bicycle accessories including locks, helmets, apparel, safety wear, racks, tubes and tires.
“Pretty much every accessory that you need, we’ll be carrying,” he said.
In addition to its storefront, the business will offer online sales at www.avantbicylesupply.com.
Valenti, who grew up in Delavan, said opening the store is his first solo business venture, but his family has local business experience. His mother, Pam Valenti, who will be the business’s accountant, owned Hair Techniques downtown and now owns a semi-professional cheerleading team with a gym in Janesville. His father, Chris Valenti, owns and operates Valenti Remodeling and Decorating in Delavan.
