CLAREMONT, Calif. (BRAIN) — Gabe Millar, the new owner of the 18-year-old retail site Cantitoe Road, said he plans to continue selling its mainstay products from Connex and Effetto Mariposa to consumers, and hopes to revive the company’s wholesale business as well.
Millar purchased the company from industry veteran Tom Petrie in June. This summer he visited Connex’s parent company, Wippermann, in Germany and Effetto Mariposa in Italy to meet with company officials, tour factories and discuss the future.
Millar has transferred the company’s inventory to California and is fulfilling orders from there now. Cantitoe Road also is selling Herrman’s grips and accessories.
Millar, who has a background in financial services and is a cycling enthusiast, said he’s been reaching out to bike shops in hopes of reinvigorating Cantitoe’s distribution business. He’s also in the process of building a new e-commerce and b2b platform for the company.
“We’ve started reaching out to shops that have worked with Tom in the past and it’s definitely been nice to start getting wholesale orders,” he said.
Cantitoe sells Connex chains, tools and lubricants, including its new wax lubes. It also sells Effetto Mariposa products including torque wrenches, tubular tape, drip chain wax, frame protectors and tubeless sealant.
Millar said he hopes to add additional niche brands that lack U.S. distribution after he stabilizes sales of the current brands.
More information: cantitoeroad.com.
