Forty-five years after Martin’s Cycling & Fitness started on South Broadway in Albert Lea, the company’s ownership changed hands on Monday.
Scott and Nancy Martin sold the business to Justin and Sarah Bolinger of J&S Cycling. The Bolingers said they plan to keep the longtime name of Martin’s as they take over the business.
“I really wanted Martin’s to stay in Albert Lea because I believe we need small retail businesses, and when Justin approached me about considering changing over, it was good,” Scott Martin said.
Martin said the business opened in the spring of 1981 with a family background in the cycling business.
Growing up in the small town of Plainview, he said his father started fixing bicycles out of the family’s garage in the 1960s.
One of his brothers opened a bike store in Owatonna first before the family decided to expand and open another location in Albert Lea, which became Martin’s store. He said his younger brother worked with him for a time before opening another store in Austin in 1990 for about five years.
Martin’s Cycling & Fitness has specialized in bicycle service and repair and started with selling bikes from the Schwinn line before it diversified its offerings to include a variety of other products and services over the years.
Martin said in the 1980s he also sold cross country skis before delving into hockey equipment and skates to carry the business through the winter months. He has also sold fitness equipment.
He has seen a lot of trends over the years, he said. The business also currently sells skateboards, longboards, and pickle ball and disc golf equipment, along with some apparel, to name a few.
Martin said his favorite part of the business has been working with his customers and seeing the generations come through. He has also enjoyed being his own boss and seeing the trends evolve. He said bicycles have changed a lot over the years.
