Palms Cycle has seen booms and busts in the bicycle business since it opened just North of the Sony Studios in Culver City 79 years ago. Since 1930 this shop has serviced the families and enthusiasts of the bicycle community throughout West Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica, and Venice. It is, in fact, the oldest bicycle shop in Los Angeles.
The Rancier family took over the shop in 1964, and four generations still have a hand in the operation. Many Westsiders were best friends with Billie Rancier during the 60's and 70's. She's still as much fun now as she was then, according to son, Cap who runs the business with his daughter Candace, "This shop has always been about the neighborhood. My parents loved the sport, but loved the kids and the families more."
Today, it is not at all unusual to find Cap, Candace, and Billie's great grand daughter Ashlynd enjoying the company of FOTS (Friends of the Shop) in the lounge area under the Tiki Hut. Cap explains, "We want the place to be totally friendly and casual. We have serious bicycle products here for serious riders, but after that, we want to be about the fun. So we've decorated the place to look like a surf shop in Maui with Bamboo and thatch complimenting the Tiki god statues."
Palms Cycle is also the home to almost 100 Vintage Schwinn balloon tire and Sting Ray bikes from the 50's to the 70's. According to Candace, "We are a major resource for movie, television, theater, and music video props. We can build them or refurbish older bikes to fit the needs of the industry. Located two blocks from Sony and two miles from Fox Studios, we rent and sell a lot of props. The store also has been used many times as a location for TV and movie production."
"The Vintage Schwinn Bikes also find homes with collectors and nostalgic buyers," says Cap. "Lots of boomers got their first taste of real freedom on a Varsity or and Orange Krate, and they get to relive their youth by owning one now."
The sale will include closeouts of 2009 model bicycles which might be the nostalgic collectors items of the future along with bicycle apperal. Visit Palms Cycle at 3770 Motor Ave in West Los Angeles/Palms 90034. Check out their MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/
