InFocus Magazine

The aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the scent of freshly cut lumber. It’s an unusual atmosphere for a bike shop, but at the Broken Spoke Coffeehouse, a new bike shop and coffee bar set to open at the corner of 4th Street and Fitzgerald Avenue in Downtown Courtenay, it’s all part of the ambiance.

Mike and Tomiko Collins, the energetic young owners of the Broken Spoke, are creating a place for commuter cyclists to browse for bike gear, enjoy a java, and absorb the unique environment. The handmade wooden tables, chairs, and display cases still have the scent of newly-built woodworking, and along with engraved wooden signs, give a hand-crafted appeal to the shop.

Over a cup of Misty Valley, a unique coffee from Ethiopia, Mike explains the vision for their business. “Tomiko and I met through cycling,” he says. “We both lived in Japan and the vast majority of people travel by bike in the cities, so we got into biking that way.” With a plan for a bike shop in mind, Mike returned home to England for a series of bike mechanics courses, where he received a Level 3 Certificate from Cytech, the British cycle industry training and accreditation scheme for mechanics and technicians.

Two years ago Mike and Tomiko moved back to BC and started saving to open their shop. The Broken Spoke focuses on commuter bicycles only—no mountain bikes. “Transportation is our main thing,” he says. “And the accessories to go with it—lots of panniers and racks. We will also be getting more clothing as time goes on, focusing on safety clothes and rainwear”.

The sun pours in the south-facing windows as we sip the coffee. Where some might see only asphalt parking outside, Mike envisions the space as a community square or courtyard. There are plans for outdoor seating and landscaping with hanging baskets.

“What do you think of the coffee?” Mike asks. “Do you get the bit of blueberry taste in it?” The coffee, he says, is ‘direct trade’, the next wave beyond ‘fair trade’. Direct trade means buying directly from growers, cutting out the traditional middleman buyers and sellers as well as the organizations that control other certifications in order to build relationships with individual producers or cooperatives in the coffee-producing countries. “Working direct with small scale coffee producers, you get different flavors from individual farmers,” he says. “Like the wine business”.

Mike and Tomiko are also active in the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition, each serving as secretary for the group. Both are former teachers and are hoping to focus on education in their shop by the fall, offering bike mechanic courses for various skill levels as well as specific target groups, such as women and seniors.

The Collins are aiming for a July 1st official opening, although they may open sooner. Hours will be 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Monday to Saturday, with a shorter day to be determined on Sunday.

“We’d like to catch commuters before they get to work, in case they have repairs to do,” Mike says. With a morning coffee to savor as well, any cyclist’s day will be off to a great start.