December 20 – The Bicycle Stand opened its doors for business on December 17. Located at 1824 E. Broadway between Cherry and Hermosa Avenues, the shop began three years ago as a restoration project for French bicycles in the living room of owners Nicole Maltz and Evan Whitener, pictured. As they began to expand their projects to include bikes of the Italian and Dutch persuasion, Maltz and Whitener decided to open a restoration studio. The business is comprised of a self-described “small team of dedicated cyclists who just can’t seem to put their bikes away,” and carries an assortment of refurbished vintage road bikes as well as new city and commuter bikes. It also offers various bicycle accessories and full repair and restoration services. “In regards to [Long Beach’s] growing bike enthusiasm, we have had the chance to see how vibrant a city’s bike culture can be,” Whitener said. “We have ridden cities ... where each stop along the way turned into a destination itself. Long Beach is that type of city, best enjoyed by bike.” The Bicycle Stand is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is closed Monday. For more information, visit www.thebicyclestand.org or call 562/279-4936. (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Thomas McConville)