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Longtime mechanic Ben Chournos opens service shop in Utah

Published June 8, 2017

OGDEN, Utah (BRAIN) — Drawing on more than 25 years of experience working as a mechanic in the U.S. and internationally, Ben Chournos has opened Shiftworks, a service and repair shop here.

Chournos teamed up with Brady Edwards, who owns two Bountiful Bicycles stores in the Salt Lake City area, to open Shiftworks.

"I've been wanting to do this for so long and Brady really helped make it happen," said Chournos, who also previously managed Scott Bicycles' warranty department. "I didn't want to open a traditional shop. The brick-and-mortar model does not work anymore — everybody buys stuff online. And I'm happy to help those people, who often get treated like crap at bike shops and get moved to the back of the line. Not in my shop. They can buy whatever they want whenever they want and bring it to me and I'll put it on correctly."

The 1,200 square-foot shop has a wash bay that customers can use for $5, and an ultrasonic cleaner that customers can use to clean their drivetrains for $10. Chournos said that he wanted to provide services that customers can't always get at other shops.

"I also come in early to get work orders done so that I can offer while-you-wait service. I built it so that customers can watch the work being done," Chournos said. "I built the shop so that I would be happy when I walk in the door and so that I would be happy to be there."

Chournos also works with five area non-profit organizations, including the Ogden Trails Network, the Ogden Bicycle Collective and the Ogden Bike Park, located on 30 acres just outside of Ogden. Chournos and other locals built the trails and opened the park in 2014.

Shiftworks stocks some parts and accessories but does not sell any bike lines. It employs two part-time employees in addition to Chournos, who works full time in the store.

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