Mt. Airy E-bike store goes retro

Philadelphia Electric Wheels (PHEW), which closed its 550 Carpenter Lane store Dec 10, plans to reopen as a full service bicycle shop on Germantown Ave.

Afshin Kaighobady, who opened PHEW in October 2009, says many residents came to his shop for regular bike repairs. PHEW had one full time bike mechanic at that time.

Kaighobady says the new store will have two mechanics by spring and also featured new and used bikes. “We needed more space,” said Kaighobady. He said the Carpenter Lane store across the street from Weavers Way had only 540 sq. feet of retail space and 150 sq. feet in the back.

To house a bike repair shop, e-bikes and traditional bikes Kaighobady said he wants about twice as much space as he had before. He doesn’t have a location yet for the new store.  “We’re looking at two places on Germantown Ave.” Both places under consideration are in Mt. Airy and have large basement areas.

The new Mt. Airy-based store, Kaighobady said, should be open by February 14. As for the name “Philadelphia Electric Wheels” He said he’d likely keep the electric bikes on one side of the shop under that name, and come up with a new name for the traditional bike store.

He said he would welcome suggestions for a good name. Kaighobady even agreed to check the comments section below to see if there are any good names.

So, here’s your chance to name that bike shop.