Post Bike Shop Manager Phil Banks, right, watches as local riders pull off a few tricks outside his recently opened store, which he shares with a sneaker retailer and barbershop. — Photo by Diego Cupolo

As rents climb in Williamsburg, businesses are finding it increasingly easier to pack up and head to Bushwick. That’s exactly what BMX enthusiast Troy Marrero and his crew have done, abandoning their beloved half-pipe to move on to bigger and better things on Varet Street.

After the lease ended at their N. 1st Street location, the lure of cheaper rent brought Post Bike Shop eastward to 257 Varet, where they now share an address with Golden Stitches next door. In its reincarnation, the new shop will house two separate businesses that will operate in the same space. 

So, aside from bikes and bike repairs, people visiting Post will be able to buy sneakers and bike apparel from BMX outfitters Front Street NY and even get a new hairdo from Stepping Razor Barbershop in the back (though the barber won’t be in for at least another month).

The enormous storefront space caters heavily to BMX and fixed-gear bikes, but co-owner Troy Marrero says he can “do anything with any bike – from track bikes to commuter bikes, you name it.”

	Post Bike Shop 257 Varet Street Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30-7:30, Sun 12-6
	Post Bikes interior. (Sarah Pappalardo)

Lately, he’s been working on fixed-gear road bike/BMX hybrids that you may have seen around the neighborhood. As we talked, he pointed out some of his custom bikes in a couple of BMX magazines — they clearly remain his first passion. “But, like I said, we’ll build or fix anything.” 

BMX pioneer Edwin Delarosa co-owns the shop, and with its BMX focus, Post sets itself apart from nearby Bushwick Bike Shop and Zukkies to serve the growing New York City BMX community. The store is stocked with all the necessary parts and custom goods, so a spare tube and your precious frog lights will no longer require a train ride outside of the neighborhood. 

On top of all that, Bushwick visitors and tourists will be pleased to hear the shop will be on renting out bikes by the summer.  

One loyal customer from the previous location said the prices were “pretty reasonable,” which may give them the edge over competing shops along the L train. More importantly, Post is, if inadvertently, filling in another vacant space on Varet St., which makes one wonder: is Varet just one bar short of being a destination? 

Marrero said he’s happy with whatever happens, as long as the landlords "stay cool” – apparently the Williamsburg landlord wasn’t crazy about his parties … which, by the way, he hopes to continue with a few summertime barbeques. 

“We’ve all been riding for years and met while working in bike shops a long time ago,” said Phil Bank, store manager for Post. “We have a lot enthusiasm for BMX bikes and with this location we’re going to make it as infectious as possible.” 

With reporting by Diego Cupolo.