Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans opened quietly in October under the El tracks near the Girard stop on Front Street, in an area that’s changing character fast as new businesses take over long abandoned factories.

Sandwiched between Italian eatery, Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, and vegan eatery, Front Street Cafe, Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans specializes in high-end road and mountain bikes. They work on drive trains, remote shifter adjustments, disc brakes and even full suspension rebuilds. The shop stocks bikes, apparel and gear, and is the only place in Philadelphia that’s carries Vermont Coffee Company beans and Tribe bicycles.

Owner JT Look, a Mount Laurel, New Jersey, native, recently returned to the Philly area after an 18-year stint in Vermont, “I moved on a whim. I just wanted to live in the woods with my dog,” he says.

There, he honed his bicycle mechanic skills before opening a shop called Rutland City Bikes. Look returned to Philadelphia because he wanted to cycle in the city and skateboard at FDR Skateboard Park, making 2016 the year to launch his new project, a Fishtown-based bike shop.

With two established area bike shops, Bicycle Stable and Jay’s Pedal Power, recently closing their doors after long retail runs, now may seem like an inopportune time to open a new bike shop in Fishtown.

However, the stats on cycling, and Look, say otherwise, “I don’t feel fearful that I’ll close because of other shops closing. I’m fearful I’ll close because I’m too busy! Bicycle Stable closing three weeks before my shop opening has given me a lot of business, and people have had good experiences having their bikes repaired here.” Plus, Look pointed out that rising property values and retire-worthy mega-offers on their buildings made those shop owners decide to close, not a lack of sales.

According to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the number of local cyclists increased 260 percent from 2005–2013. This statistic (and the lack of much nearby competition) makes Look certain the Riverwards still has a place for bike shops focusing on quality bikes and repairs.

And his goal for Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans is simple, “I just want to pay my bills and make my customers happy.”

Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans stays open late to accommodate office workers, “I looked at the Monday through Friday people who get done at five and to rush to a bike shop at six or seven is not easy for them. I’d rather make it easier for them so they’re not stressed… and a lot of people shop in the evening.”

Bike commuters pass the shop’s prime Front Street location daily, bringing steady traffic to the store since it’s opening, and the bold logo, featuring a biker riding with coffee in hand, brings other curious passersby inside.

Look selected the name Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans before even finding the building, and said it was luck that got him a building just inside Fishtown’s borders. “This place popped up and I was lucky enough to land it.”

Despite having near-perfect credit, Look has struggled to get an SBA loan in Philadelphia and can’t do everything he’s planned for the space just yet. “I was looking into also doing a coffee shop, but I stepped away from it for now because I may have to put a handicap ramp on and it costs a lot.”

In the meantime, Look is connecting with locals at his growing shop rides on Wednesday nights and distributing business cards at nearby businesses to increase awareness of Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans. He is also partnering with local artists and business to host art shows every 3rd Thursday throughout the summer. The shop’s first event in April was a huge success, with over 50 people in attendance.

Look is dedicated to his work, and literally sleeps at his office. He and his store dog, Cody, live on the property of Fishtown Bikes ‘n’ Beans. Even when he’s closed, Look welcomes calls about bikes and repairs as he’s typically somewhere nearby.

The only snag of business in the city so far was Look discovering the hard way that theft is big business in the Riverwards. “This is still a hard area. I had a bike stolen off my porch the first week I was open… I had it locked with a little lock and it was just ‘snip’ and it was gone.”

While the neighborhood is evolving for the better, Fishtown is not Vermont, and this lesson made him bring the bikes inside and require visitors be buzzed in to shop at night. Despite this he loves being in the city. “I love Philadelphia. It’s raw. It’s loud.”

He believes the future is bright for Fishtown’s biking scene, and his long lease means he’s here to put down roots as the neighborhood booms around him. A friendly character, Look eschews alcohol and knows little about the growing restaurant and bar scene just beyond his door, preferring to spend his free time at the FDR Skateboard Park and biking.

This focus on work is a good thing: reviews so far note the friendly vibe and quality repair work of Fishtown Bikes – n – Beans. And, the massive location means there’s still plenty of room to grow.

Jenny is a Philadelphia transplant by way of Salt Lake City. She studied journalism at Seattle University and loves writing on the ever-changing Riverwards she now calls home.