ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – An Escanaba business is relocating, and the owners have found a way to support a local nonprofit in the process.
Currently located on Ludington Street, Mr. Bike and Ski is in the process of moving to a new—yet familiar—spot across town.
“We’ve been in the Downtown Escanaba location for about 17 years,” said Adam Haeusler, who co-owns the shop with his wife, Heidi. “Before that, we were in the Mini-Mall just down from the Donut Connection.”
The move is due to an adjusted focus for the business. Haeusler and his wife are downsizing their fitness equipment to specialize in outdoor recreation.
“Biking has been a lot more year-round, and then cross-country skiing and snowshoeing,” he said. “We are still doing ski rentals and snowboard rentals. This building is 10,000 square feet, which is a huge building. We’re going into a new location that is a lot more appropriately sized for our business today.”
While packing for the move, the Haeuslers came across some Mr. Bike and Ski history.
“We’re digging out old skis, old signs, a lot of fixtures,” Haeusler said. “We don’t have the space for holding onto a lot of that extra stuff that we might use every few years.”
To lighten the load, the business is holding an auction on Friday, October 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Proceeds will go to Delta County Nonmotorized Trails (DCNT), a nonprofit where the Haeuslers previously served as board members.
“DCNT is here to sustain, maintain, and create new trails for Delta County,” explained DCNT Board member Jessica Beaver. “DCNT is a local nonprofit. It’s run by volunteers, so the more partnerships we have—like with Mr. Bike and Ski—that just helps make our organization stronger and more deeply rooted in the community.”
The DCNT Board is hoping to raise $5,000 for equipment maintenance and future endeavors.
“[There’s] a big project we’re actually pitching,” Beaver said. “We’re working with Parks and Rec and the City of Gladstone, and we have some ideas about how we can create a pretty fun and exciting new trail, kind of by the ski hill area and the pump track and disc golf course area.”
Haeusler says the nonprofit provides a much-needed service.
“In Delta County, we are limited a little bit in comparison to other counties as to how much trail space we have,” he said. “An organization like that is developing more trails, keeping the ones that we do have in the best condition possible. We want safe and good places for everybody to be able to ride and enjoy the outdoors.”
That service is one Beaver says is only possible because of public support.
“Without [Mr. Bike and Ski’s] generosity and helping people get outside—like their Tuesday night bike rides that they do—our organization would probably have a really hard time existing,” she said. “It’s really awesome that they’re doing this for us.”
For Mr. Bike and Ski, an auction benefitting Delta County Nonmotorized Trails is the perfect way to close this chapter of the business’ story.
“A lot of people have a lot of memories of this area,” said Haeusler. “There’s a bunch that also have memories of being in that Mini-Mall before this, which is awesome. There’s a lot of excitement of a new chapter. There’s a little bit of nervousness, but overall, very excited.”
Mr. Bike and Ski will open its doors for the auction at 5 p.m, with bidding beginning at 6 p.m. Payments can only be made with cash or checks. The auction is family-friendly, and snacks and beer will be provided.
To RSVP for the auction or to see some of the items that will be available, click here. Visit dcntrails.com to learn more about Delta County Nonmotorized Trails.
