Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Winston.
Laurie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We found the location while riding on the bike path and thought we could create something awesome here. We began two and a half years ago with an outdoor coffee stand and a small bike shop. We were open on the weekends as a pit stop for cyclists on the bike path. We hoped to encourage people to get out of their cars and explore a part of Los Angeles that people used to avoid. We were located in an area with no other commercial businesses or food and drinks. We worked for about two years to remodel the front building on the property and the outdoor area and finally got our restaurant open about six months ago. We serve a full food menu of classic California food items, locally roasted coffee, draft beer from LA breweries, California wines, and homemade baked goods. We rent bikes, repair bikes, and sell accessories and custom-built bicycles. We have music most weekends as well as other events.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was pretty difficult obtaining all the necessary permits and remodeling the space. As a bicycle-oriented business in a somewhat forgotten area of the city, it was also difficult to challenge the standard business model with something different. We had one difficult neighborhood too, but we hope we have moved past that. We are located at the end of a dead-end street, so other than cyclists and pedestrians on the path, we have to get people to come here. They don’t just pass by. So we’re constantly thinking up ideas to make that happen. Most of our business happens on the weekends, so it gets very, very busy all at once. Other than that, we’re always looking to improve, to find better ways of doing things.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Spoke Bicycle Cafe – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are the first business to open along the LA River bike path. We were also the first bike shop cafe in Los Angeles (there are now several). In a city that has such an extreme car culture, we cater mainly to non-motorists, which definitely sets us apart. We specialize in locally made products and food items and we offer delicious options for all types of diets, including vegetarian/vegan. We’re pretty proud of all of these things.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love how there are so many neighborhoods that feel different from each other. I love all the healthy food and fruits and vegetables available here. I love how we can go to the beach, go to the mountains, go downtown all in the same day. I love how there is so much more to this city than what you see on TV or on the news. I love all the entertainment options. I love all the people. There are so many wonderful, different people here. I love how I can think I know the city and then find something new each time. I love how the city is what you make of it. No more, no less.
I dislike all the cars and traffic. I dislike the hugeness sometimes. I dislike how it can be difficult to find a community. I dislike the price of housing. I dislike the income disparity. I dislike the harshness I sometimes feel here.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3050 North Coolidge Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
On the LA River Bike Path - Website: www.spokebicyclecafe.com
- Phone: 323-684-1130
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spokebicyclecafe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spokebicyclecafe/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/spoke_lariver
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/spoke-bicycle-cafe-los-angeles-3
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
