Oh man, I hate to brag, but it’s just so hard not to when you live in the Burg! This place just keeps getting better and better. Just one visit to our vibrant downtown and surrounding districts and you will never want to leave. There are specialty boutiques, breweries, restaurants galore, parks, bakeries, and the list just goes on and on.
And now, getting around to all of these exciting places just got a lot easier, thanks to Tony’s Bike Shop. Allow me to introduce to you Tony Tulloh, owner and operator. You’re going to want to get to know this guy. Hailing originally from West Virginia, he has been in the bike business since he was a young kid, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.
Tony, an avid cyclist and lover of the Pinellas Trail, opened his first storefront in 1980 at the age of 15. Currently living in Valrico, Tony and his wife, Jennifer, will soon be residents of St. Pete, a dream they have shared ever since their son, Justin, made them empty nesters.
“My grandfather always told me, if you have an opportunity to open a shop in St. Petersburg, do it! He instantly fell in love with the area and all of the life here. This city is full of good energy and I’m excited to become a part of the community,” Tony said with a friendly and welcoming smile.
Expert Sales and Service
At Tony’s Bike shop you will find a wide range of bikes for sale at $500 and under, new and used. If you are looking more towards buying a used bike, you can do so without fear. Tony offers a 90-day warranty on all of his used bikes.
It’s important to take good care of your bike, so Tony offers a convenient $20 tune up, which can take up to about 60 minutes to complete and comes with the option of a loaner bike for the hour or a bike-maintenance lesson by Tony himself.
“I love to teach people about their bikes and how to care for them. There are so many little tips to share to make your ride more enjoyable,” Tony said.
Speaking of tips, here are some of Tony’s trade secrets. Number one, always check your tire pressure to ensure a good ride and prevent damage to your tires. Number two, always keep your bike chains lubricated. And number three, be certain to have lights on your bike for night time riding in order to avoid dangerous collisions and the possibility of receiving a ticket.
Rent a Bike for the Day
Along with offering a wide selection of bikes for sale, and the best tune up in town, Tony’s Bike Shop also offers 24-hour bike rentals for only $20. Just pop in with your ID and you are good to go. They have a variety of rental bikes to choose from, whether you enjoy riding a beach cruiser, a city-style bike or a hybrid, which just happens to be the most popular.
In addition to the bikes, you will find everything you need to enjoy a beautiful ride through St. Pete. The shop offers everything from pet carriers, baskets and bike racks to locks, bells and a huge assortment of comfortable seats. Just seeing the polka dot banana seat on a bright orange bike with tassels on the handlebars took me right back to the second grade, riding without a care in world with a warm breeze blowing through my hair and sun shining bright in the sky. Sign me up!
All you have to do is stop in, load up and hit the road, or the trails. It’s a great way to spend a day in one of the few cities where you can ride your bike from the beach to downtown in one sunshiny day.
Looking forward, Tony has big plans. He will be expanding into the building alongside the current shop, boasting an extra 1200 square feet. Like the city, the space is so inviting that Tony is brainstorming on ways to invite the community in for more than just tune ups and shopping. He is moving towards teaching classes on bike care, plus game nights and community socials.
You can find Tony’s Bike Shop located in the heart of St. Pete at 19 21st Street North. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit http://tonysbikeshop.com/ or call 727-537-6162 for more information.
Tony is one of the nicest most knowledgeable people you’ll ever meet. My wife and I were very impressed with him and his shop. Also his prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend. Keep up the good work Tony!