Merrick Bicycles doubles in size

Michael Hammer and Dan Yuricic opened Merrick Bicycles in a 900-square-foot space on Merrick Avenue in central Merrick exactly a year ago. The business is now thriving in an expanded shop that more than doubles the original space, to 2,200 square feet.

“Our spring-summer season was fantastic,” Hammer said of 2014. “We were welcomed with open arms.”

The flurry of sales that the shop saw in its first half-year enabled Hammer and Yuricic to take over the space next door, which was formerly a commercial contractor’s showroom. The two opened up the wall that separated the two spaces, making one large showroom for Merrick Bicycles’ significantly enlarged inventory.

“We have a larger assortment in all bicycle categories,” Hammer said. “We have a larger selection of accessories.”

Hammer, an avid cyclist himself, has been in bicycle sales for a decade and a half. His wife, Guz, helps out in the shop. And Yuricic, who is in healthcare consulting and is married with children to Hammer’s sister, Lisa, is heavily involved in the community as a Little League coach.

Before opening the shop, Hammer said, he spent months researching and securing distribution agreements with top bicycle makers such as Fuji, Felt, Bianchi, BMC, Haro, Del Sol and Masi. Whatever cycle he might not have in the shop, he can order from the manufacturer and have it in the store within two days. Prices range from $129 to $429 for youth bicycles to $599 to $7,000 for road bikes. In addition to youth and road bikes, Merrick Bicycles offers adult cruisers, hybrid comfort, hybrid fitness and mountain bicycles. And the shop is branching out into gear for triathletes. The shop also fully services cycles.

Hammer said that he and his partner feel an enormous sense of gratitude toward the local community. “We just wanted to say thank you to the community, not only Merrick, but the surrounding communities, Bellmore, East Meadow and Freeport,” he said.

In addition to bicycles and cycling accessories, the shop has branched out into snow throwers to help carry the business through the winter, when bicycle sales tend to drop off. And, in the warmer months, the shop services lawn mowers, with pickup and delivery available.

On Saturdays, Hammer and company lead bike tours of the Jones Beach cycling path, as well as Sunday family rides through the local neighborhood, with a bagel breakfast at the end. And the shop gives to local charities and the schools, Hammer said. This winter, the shop started offering sleds. For each sled sold, the shop gave $5 to the child’s school.

And, Hammer noted, “Yes, we’ve expanded, but our one-on-one customer service will remain the same.”