Flooring Store Moving Into Old Bob's Bike And Board Next Month

Jim and Alaria's current Flooring America store

Flooring America, specializing in flooring sales and design, will be moving into the old Bob's Bike and Board space (3605 NE 45th Street) and opening in beginning to mid-March.


Bob's popular store was  vacated in December  and moved to 5206 University Avenue in the University District.


The owners of Flooring America, Jim Heiderich and his daughter Ilaria Hare Heiderich, have been in the neighborhood for years as the Hare family once lived on on 44th Avenue NE.  Jim still resides nearby, just off of Sand Point Way and Ivanhoe Place. 


Jim started Floorworks, the commercial division, over 20 years ago with their first office located right off of Blakely Avenue NE.  About ten years ago, he  joined Flooring America, a coop consisting of over 500 privately owned stores nationwide, that assists its members of the individully owned stores with support back-up and retail buying.


Ilaria started working for her dad when she was 14, then while in College, worked at another locally owned Flooring America in Spokane and upon graduation joined her dad full time.


In addition to offering customers a wide variety of flooring options, including tile and vinyl, and design assistance, Ilaria told us that they also offer hardwood floor refinishing that is non-toxic and dust free.  


Floorworks also offers insurance restoration to home owners or businesses that have submitted claims for damage. Ilaria told us that unlike big box stores who sub out their contactors to do the work, Flooworks has their own staff of  installers and crafstmen who have worked for them for many years.


Floorworks has done several commercial projects at the downtown Seattle Public Library, Westin Hotel, Aljoya on Mercer Island and one of the terminals at the Airport.


Alaria told us that they think the new location is ideal for a flooring retailer as the nearby mostly single family neighborhoods are "experiencing a new influx of ownerhsip," with older people moving out and new couples and families moving in. 


She said their new location will "play well" with the University Village home furnishing stores. And added to that she read that over 36,000 cars pass their new location daily


Jim and Ilaria are excited to open their new store in Laurelhurst and  meet neighbors as well as get involved with the community.
.

Bob's Bike And Board Has Moved To The University District

Bob's Bike and Board, formerly located on NE 45th Street in Laurelhurst, has just moved to the University District.

Bob wrote to us:

I just could not keep treading water in the big space that I was in.  And my children are growing up fast and I need to spend more time with them.

My new location is at 5206 University Avenue. I will try to get it organized quickly so you can come check it out.

It is a very small spot compared with the old one, but the property owner seems to appreciate my contribution to the big picture.

I will certainly miss the old location. I hope you will follow my move and help support my new location. I should be more able to keep pace in the small space once it is set up. Until then pardon the Mess.

Bob's is a favorite place among neighbors to go for all things bike in the summer and skis and boards in the winter.  And Bob is known to be a pro at fixing bikes and tuning skis. He also carries a large variety of bikes, skis and boards, as well as offering rentals. 

Here is a previous post we did about how Bob's Bike and Board store came about almost 18 years ago.

How Bob's Bike And Board Store Came About And Bike Repair Class Offered Tonight And Each Thursday Evening

We've heard from many readers that Bob's Bike and Board (3605 NE 45th Street) is their favorite place to go for all things bike in the summer and skis and boards in the winter.

Bob is known to be a pro at fixing bikes and tuning skis. He also carries a large variety of bikes, skis and boards, as well as offering rentals. 

One loyal customer wrote to us that "he is a great bike mechanic. And not only did he tune up my bike, but he totally cleaned it up and gave me pride back in my every day biking commute to work."

Other readers wrote us that they have bought new and used bikes at Bob's for their kids and his prices are always competitive.

Another reader tipped us that Bob is offering bike repair classes on Thursday evenings at 6pm. We checked with Bob on that and he told us that he is offering the classes "to share my experience with others." Bob will teach the basics in tire repair and gear adjustment "or more as guided by the participants."

One of our staffers though it would be fun to learn more about Bob, the owner, and the history of his store. He sent us a very interesting, informative and animated email:


I started working at this shop 7 years into my bicycle shop path. 1992 I started at the UW and needed a part time job. John at BC another local shop placed an add for help wanted in the paper so I rode over to apply. When I arrived to deliver my resume, John greeted me by shoving my bicycle out of his shop.

As I rode away I noticed Al Young Bike and Ski across the street. A sign claimed the friendliest shop in Seattle. I rolled up and was greeted by a cheerful young lady named Julia that eagerly accepted my resume and relayed it to Al. I was working there the following week. After ten years as an employee Al retired and I became President. The American nightmare come true.

Working on bicycles and anything that needs to be repaired or modified has been in my blood from birth.  I learned to ride my bike without the training wheels at 3, after parking it behind the car getting it run over then removing them myself due to damage and riding away.

The freedom I got never ended. At 5 I received a new 20” bicycle and rode away until 11:30 pm.I got the bicycle back the following week with the promise that I would be walking if I didn’t come home by dark.

This shop is the job for me. I enjoy the work and the people that have supported me through the years. My skill is fixing things and storing product information. Bicycles, skis, snowboards, kayaks, and kites, are just a few of the toys I enjoy.

I have rented skis to the neighborhood so long that some of my earliest customers are bringing in  their children to get skis now. It is a pleasure to share in the tales of adventure and see the progress and confidence as children learn new sports.

The local unicycle program is a great example of sports impact.

And not many places let you have your dog working with you either. Ruby is the most interesting thing in the shop now I think.

(photo above courtesy of Bob's Bike and Board website)

Bob's dog, Ruby