History of Rick Cycle Shop

Rick Cycle Shop began in Buffalo NY in 1898 by three brothers; Frederick, Otto, and Thomas. Thomas became the eventual sole owner and operated the bike shop on Main Street till 1963. Rick Cycle Shop is considered to be the 2nd oldest operating  independent  bicycle shop in the country. The shop first opened at 517-519 Main St. Then in 1910, it moved up the block to 635. In 1918, the shop  was again relocated to number 743 were it remained open for 89 years. In 2007, the fourth relocating move occurred and the shop is now located at 55 Allen St. Thomas A. Rick sold his business in 1963 to his then employee Charles Schifferle. The shop's present owner acquired Rick Cycle Shop from C. Schifferle in 1970.

From gas lights to  pool tables, sundries, women's rubber overshoes, ice skates, wagons and motorcycles, the store has sold many different goods to meet changing markets. Bicycle sales and service has always been its main stay activity of daily operations. A fun historical note is that back in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, a  Rick Cycle Shop built bicycle was ridden by Buffalo native Al Krushel who helped the American cycling team winning a bronze medal in the team time trial event. 

In earlier years Rick Cycle Shop built many of the newer same sized wheeled bikes. This was an advancement on the old Ordinaries or "high-wheelers". Rick Cycle shop  started selling a local branded bike, Emblem, until they went out of business shortly before WWII. For many years Rick Cycle Shop sold Huffy, Schwinn, but is currently a top 100 Raleigh retailer. We also carry Diamondback, Haro, Redline, S&E, Torker, Fuji and can get almost anything you need.

The store's recent move off of Main Street Buffalo has brought about a renewed increase in business volume through better visibility and customer access. This is still a hands on business with current family ownership since 1970. All of us here today are looking forward to pedaling our bicycle wheels around another turn to reach the next new century.