Venable's Bicycles closes its doors

The last day of anything is usually a sad occasion. So the last day at one of Tulsa's oldest bike shops should be a sad one, but it's not. <br><br>News on 6 reporter Rick Wells says Brice Venable

Wednesday, March 31st 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The last day of anything is usually a sad occasion. So the last day at one of Tulsa's oldest bike shops should be a sad one, but it's not.

News on 6 reporter Rick Wells says Brice Venable has a few mixed emotions, but is really looking forward to what's ahead.

It's the last day at Venable's Bicycles, Bobby Fields has worked here 24 years, and heâ€™s doing repairs even on the last day. Customer: "We're sure gonna miss you." There are last day customers too; she's got a gift certificate she's trying to use up. A helmet and some little stuff. Brice Venable is patient with all of it, but clearly it's the last day. Customer: "Enjoy your retirement." Venable: "Well thank you, I think I will."

His father opened the first shop in Tulsa in 1956. He took it over in '69. "I've been selling bikes to grandchildren of people we sold to earlier." The business has really changed in all those years, the big discount stores have taken a lot of the new bike sales, and the independent dealers have become specialty shops. "If an independent dealer doesnâ€™t have a pretty good repair shop, he can't make it."

His store is almost empty. Most of the bikes still on the floor are sold, there are still some parts and a few accessories, an auctioneer will sell what's left. When all that's done, he wants to explore his home state. "There are several places in the state I haven't seen. Some I wanna go back to, like Woolaroc, and Will Rogers, and the Tom Mix Museum in Dewey, the gun museum in Claremore."

As for immediate plans. "I'm gonna sleep in a few days and go to the Tulsa Zoo." Sleeping' in and the Zoo, sounds like retirement to me.