bike shops in coventry

Pee Wee's Bike Shop

By: Heidi Fearing

Description

Those who look back at the many small mom and pop businesses that graced Coventry Village during the 1960s and 1970s most fondly remember one in particular - Pee Wee's Bike Shop. Although it is a part of Coventry's history, the shop did not have its beginnings there. Pee Wee, whose real name is Marvin Rosenberg, had lived in Cleveland Heights since the early 1940s. He first opened Pee Wee's Bike Shop at 894 Lakeview in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland in the mid 1950s. He stayed there until a series of robberies convinced him to move his business to Cleveland Heights in the 1960s.

A neighboring business owner followed and partnered with Pee Wee, starting a bike and variety shop called Pee Wee's Bike & Hobby Company at 2871 Mayfield Road. The joint business lasted about three years until Pee Wee's partner ventured out to start his own wholesale bike business. Changing the name of his store to Pee Wee's Cycle Shop, Rosenberg stayed at Mayfield Road for almost two more years until the building he occupied was sold.

Finally, in the late sixties, Pee Wee relocated to Coventry Village. The latest name he chose for his business was the Cycle & Import Company, but everyone referred to it as Pee Wee's Bike Shop. Pee Wee ran his business at 1791 Coventry Road for seventeen years, during which time he became a beloved figure in the commercial area.

In the 1980s, Pee Wee took advantage of an opportunity to purchase a small building on Lee and Superior Roads by Cain Park. He again changed the name of his business, appropriately calling it Cain Park Bicycle. Unfortunately, not long after he moved he became ill and was no longer able to run his business. He did, however, make sure he left his business in the hands of someone who, according to Pee Wee, "knew bikes." Despite his frequent moves and name changes, Pee Wee's Bike Shop is still fondly remembered as a part of Coventry Village history.