Pedal forward Kraynick's Bike shop

In the 1940s, Jerry Kraynick’s dad—Steve Kraynick—made a habit out of picking up old, wayward bicycles that he’d find in junkyards on his way home from his job at the steel mill. In his spare time, in the evening hours, he taught himself how to repair and recycle his rusty old gems. Then he sold one bicycle. And another. And another. And before long, he opened his very own storefront and bike shop and Kraynick’s became a Pittsburgh staple—a store he passed along to his son. 

Since 1946—for the last 70 years—Kraynick's bike shop has been a unique home for bike lovers of all likes. Whether they’re Pittsburgh natives, college students, or transplants from distant lands, whether thfey’re newcomers who don’t know how to hold a wrench or seasoned gear heads, Kraynick’s is a welcome home to anyone and everyone, home to all who ride and all who want to ride. It’s a place where people from all walks of life come together because of the bicycle. 

 When Jerry took over his father’s operation in 1976, he set up the bike shop so that people who walk in can get free advice and hands-on experience. Visitors are encouraged to learn to work on their own bike, to discover the joy of self-empowered mechanical satisfaction. The shop doesn’t sell a service. It offers an experience. Kraynick’s provides its patrons with 10 workstations and all the tools imaginable for any kind of repair or reconstruction. With the help of volunteers, patrons with the willingness to learn, get the proper guidance and encouragement for any kind of project, from start to finish.  

In addition to its daily operations as parts store and workshop, Kraynick's bike shop has also been the center of Pittsburgh’s famed “Bikes Before Christmas” program. For the past 14 years Jerry and his team of volunteers have repaired hundreds of donated bicycles, which are distributed by The Salvation Army to less fortunate families and children. Every year, he “Bikes Before Christmas” program provides the community with more than 250 reconditioned bikes.

My name is Rocky Cristobal. I am one of Jerry's friends, and I have been a volunteer at the bike shop for the past four years. I am raising funds so that I can have the chance to be the keeper of the shop. Jerry—who is 73 years young—plans to retire from his role as sole proprietor and sole employee and aims to settle down—becoming a volunteer at the shop.  My plan: with Jerry’s blessings and your help, I aim to use the funds to buy Kraynick’s and continue its legacy.  By crowd funding I can keep the overhead low. This will enable me to keep prices low, to continue to let patrons have free access to the workspace and tools, and to keep the free advice and mechanical knowledge spreading to future generations of Pittsburgh riders.

 
Our goal: We are hoping to raise $420,000 by the spring of 2017, which I will use to purchase the property and the business. I plan on continuing  the Bikes Before Christmas Program and involving the shop with community outreach programs. This will enable Jerry to have a good retirement, Me to have a profession, and the community a great bike shop. We can do this!!! Thanks for helping!


Bicycling Magazine's Article on Kraynick's Bike shop


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