May 8, 2017

Meet Brian Molloy of The Hub Bicycles in Athens

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Molloy.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Like every kid, I started riding bikes when I was very little. I took to it right away and always loved my time on my bike and the freedom it gave me. I started racing road bikes when I was about 15 and then mountain bikes a few years later. As soon as I was old enough to work, I got a job at a local bike shop and was totally hooked. I loved building, repairing, and selling bikes. It made me so happy to be able to help people with all their cycling needs. Working at a bike shop helped put me through college. After college, I tried the real world and it was not for me so I went back to work at a bike shop and that made me start thinking about opening my own shop. So in late 2000 I moved to Athens, GA with nothing except a signed lease for a space I found and 25K and started The Hub Bicycles. Now, 17 years later, I am still here and still loving it.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been pretty smooth but all business has their ups and downs and I had them for sure. I had to buy out a partner early on and that hurt the business pretty bad and I struggled to keep things together for the next 5 years. Also, there were a few years where business was not that great in the bike world. But I made it through and the store is much stronger now.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Hub Bicycles is a full-service bike shop. We sell, repair, and rent all kinds of bicycles. We strive to treat every one of our customers with the same respect and kindness they deserve. I have an excellent staff and we have a great community around the shop.

What were you like growing up?
Very happy, outgoing, and social person. I can be very silly at times but also take my business very seriously.

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