Editors Note: A version of this story originally appeared in the June 14 edition of the Alligator.
Ted Kubisek stood in front of the fan to combat the heat during the shop’s last week of being open for business. He spoke to customers and employees in a way that shows he’s known them for years.
After 21 years owning and operating Spin Cycle, it was time for a change.
By June 19, the warehouse, home to a bike shop, screen printing business and music venue, is set to clear out of the building it has been in for more than a decade.
“I’ve done it for so long that I don’t want to do it forever,” said Kubisek, 39.
Monster Press Printing, the screen printing business, will continue after the bike store closes.
The shop is closing because Santa Fe College is expanding its downtown campus into Spin Cycle’s building on University Avenue.
“That has given us, myself, my family a chance, a breaking point that after 21 years seems to make sense,” Kubisek said.
Kubisek, a Gainesville native, originally opened the shop on Northwest 13th Street in 1991. “It was very successful right away,” Kubisek said. “People would travel from other towns to come to our store. We had a lot of organized rides and a lot of community participation.”
The venue Spin Cycle on Tap was added two years ago. It participated in Gator Stompin’ and has hosted bands and variety shows.
Despite all of the excitement in new beginnings, Kubisek will miss seeing his children grow up in the bike shop.
“That’s one of the saddest parts — that I don’t get to raise my children here,” he said.
