Jacobo Salazar Jr., 42 and owner of Kickstand Bicycles in Saint Elmo, holds the frame for a polo-style, fixed-gear bicycle made by State Bicycle Company. Salazar said he hopes to build the minimalistic commuter bike for himself to ride. The new bike is hanging on the wall at his new shop at 3800 Saint Elmo Ave. Suite 129.Kickstand Bicycles will host a customer appreciation block party that's free and open to the public on Sunday.
The family-friendly social event will be held Aug. 25 at 3800 St. Elmo Avenue from 2-6 p.m. There will be bike-themed games and more. Food and drinks will be for sale.
"This is a [low-cost] event. It isn't about making money," shop owner Jacobo Salazar Jr. said. "This is about showing our appreciation to the customers. I want the community to really feel like this is truly their party."
Guests can bring blankets and set up in the grassy area outside the store or bring a chair. The road outside the shop will be closed for the event.
There will be blindfold races, musical chairs on bikes, a mechanics bike race and other games. The crown jewel will be a jousting event against Salazar, he said.
Salazar moved his shop to its current St. Elmo location last summer. It is about double the space he had prior when he was working from a 200-square-foot garage space.
A customer will be making egg rolls for the block party. There will also be hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken-on-a-stick, organizers said.