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LAKELAND, FL (BRAIN)—The Trek Bicycle Store in Lakeland, Florida, has shuttered after seven years in operation. The shop was the first retailer-owned Trek Concept Store to open back in November 2002, shortly after the Wisconsin-based bike manufacturer introduced its concept store model.
Former sales rep for Gary Fisher, Trek, Klein and Lemond brands Don Griffith opened the original 5,000-square-foot shop, which was built up from scratch and featured 20-foot ceilings and display racks on rollers.
Reasons for its closure are unknown and attempts to reach Griffith at the store were unsuccessful as the shop’s phone number is no longer in service. Also, the store’s Web site is no longer up.
At the time Griffith’s store opened, Trek owned and operated three Trek Bicycle Stores, according to an article published by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News in its January 2003 issue.
The Lakeland store just off of U.S. Highway 98 had undergone a recent remodel, according to David Luppino, owner of Tampa Bay area store Just Ride Bicycles, who knew Griffith since he was his sales rep long before he opened shop. Luppino, who’s owned various shops in the Tampa Bay area over the years, said Griffith helped him get Trek into one of his stores back in the day.
—Lynette Carpiet
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