Yeah, they have an attic full of used bikes. Mostly unexciting stuff, but when I was living in Warren, PA, 75 miles away, in 2001, they had an early 70's all chrome Schwinn Paramount touring model up there in exactly my size. I asked about it, but was told it was not for sale. I was tempted to offer $1,000 to see if they would change their mind, but I held off, thinking I might make a better bargain some other time. I moved away a few months later, but returned to the area on business last July. I went by the shop intending to offer the $1,000, but was told someone had bought it for just that price a year earlier. Rats, defeated by my initial cheapness.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
Howard Darr <hdarr@localnet.com> wrote: Merle Addams Schwinn in Erie PAis pretty old. I seem to remember him saying the shop was the second oldest schwinn shop in PA.
Back in the 70s when I worked there as a wrench I remember as if a vapor the date established was on the sign.
Howard Darr
Clymer PA
>
> I know nothing first hand about Kopps, but they I have seen them starting
> to
> sell interesting items on ebay incluidng this Paramount hub-
>
> _http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
> (http://ebay.com/<blah>
>
> I would love to be able to dig through thier backstock!
>
> Scott McCaskey
> Dalworthington Gardens, TX
>
> In a message dated 4/13/2005 9:43:04 PM Central Standard Time,
> rononice@yahoo.com writes:
>
> I was in Princeton, NJ the last couple of days on business in the area,
> and
> came upon Kopp Bicycle Shop, on Spring Street. Sign says "Established
> 1891"
> and an article in the window and their local advertisment says its the
> oldest
> operating shop in the US. Unfortunately, it was closed both times I had
> time to go spend time there. There was a cool looking (excuse me and
> correct
> me if I am wrong) Darkoop track bike on display in the window. Pretty
> old,
> pre-40s maybe, old Brooks, downward sloping stem, wood rims of course,
> and the
> crank had the BSA letters in ring. There were 3 50s-60s Raleigh and
> Rudge SA
> 3 speeds chained up outside, with a ton of low end stuff (Ross, Schwinn,
> kids bikes, et al). Wish I coulda gotten in and talked to the
> proprietor.
> Anyway, any debate as to whether this is really the oldest shop still
> operating?
>
> BTW: there is a great brew pub in town, Triumph Brewing Company. Great
> ales
> and food both. Believe me, you don't always get both at one location.
>
> Ron Gurth
> Carmel, IN