Century-old bike shop raising money to keep business open amid downtown construction

SAN ANTONIO -- A San Antonio bicycle shop is fighting to keep its doors open after operating for more than a century in downtown. The owner of Charles A. James Bicycle Shop blames ongoing construction along North Main Avenue. An apartment building is also going up across the street. "The construction across the street took away about ten parking slots and then when the City started doing their construction they took another ten," said Hank Estrada, the owner. Now, customers are having to walk several blocks to bring their bikes in for repairs. "[Customers] now complain because they have to drive through construction and a lot of them do not like it," he said. Construction began during the summer but Estrada said December has been the hardest month by far for business. "It's got to a point where I work from week to week so I can make enough money to pay what I need to pay for the following week," said Estrada. Other ideas he has considered include picking up bikes from customers for repairs, small wheelchair repairs or letting his mechanic go. Estrada also mentioned a recent City program aimed at helping local businesses hurting by ongoing construction. However, the money allocated from the program doesn't help businesses with paying bills. People have been donating and that's what has really helped," he said. Estrada said if he continues to receive money online, he should be able to keep the shop open.