Village Bike Shop founder sells company to long-time employee

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Aug. 13, 2018 - PRLog -- Village Bike & Fitness today announces that 25-year veteran employee Cory Bultman has purchased the company from owners Dale Phelps and Pam Kruse.  Village Bike & Fitness (VBF) operates four Grand Rapids area bicycle and fitness retail stores located in Jenison, Kentwood, Cascade, and Plainfield, Michigan.

Bultman began working for Village Bike Shop on Kalamazoo Ave and 44th St. in 1993 at the age of 15.  "He was just a young high-school kid who loved bikes, so we put him to work sweeping the floor and taking out the trash" said Phelps.  He adds, "When the time was right to open a fourth location on the North side of town in 2001, there was no question that Cory should be the manager.  That store has seen consistent growth.  In 2003 Cory and I attended our first of eight science-based bike fitting schools and began offering our customers the ability ride farther and faster with more comfort and less injury.  For the past several years Cory has been training new store managers and gradually taking over more of the general operations of the company"

"I'm thrilled to be taking leadership of such a great company, working alongside a very dedicated and service-oriented group of people" said Bultman.  "Dale and Pam have developed strong relationships with our key vendors and community partners.  We have a loyal and good-hearted customer base here in West Michigan and we're truly grateful."

Dale Phelps reminisced, "When I started Village in 1974 I didn't have much of a strategic plan but was blessed with many special connections and opportunities over the past four decades. Cory on the other hand, not only has a plan, but consistently takes decisive action to implement winning ideas. He's a very ambitious and talented young man."

All four stores will remain open year round and retain all full-time staff members.  VBF sells bicycles from Specialized, Giant, and Raleigh Electric as well as fitness equipment from Life Fitness, Lifespan and Endurance.

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About Village Bike & Fitness
Founded in 1974, Village Bike & Fitness operates four stores in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area offering a complete selection of quality cycling and fitness equipment as well as expert repairs on all makes and models.

Village Bike & Fitness is well known for bike fitting expertise and is the only shop in West Michigan to be named one of "America's Best Bike Shops" by The National Bicycle Dealers Association for five years in a row.

https://www.villagebikeshop.com/