4:00pm | Editor’s Note: This is an expansion on our print coverage of the Best of Long Beach. Given our limited print space, we wanted to further share our experience at these amazing businesses via the many photos we took. We feel it not only allows the reader to better understand why each place was chosen, but provides the chance to spotlight local businesses visually. We will do one business every day until all 30 winners have been covered. Enjoy.
Best Bike Shop: City Grounds
City Grounds has history. And given that history, Abe Mubarak – quite possibly and simply put one of the coolest and most relaxed dudes on a fixie – is confused: “People walk in here and I ask if they need help.” He pauses, beginning to hide behind a bike hanging off the wall, imitating the fear of speaking mysteriously induced by the store to newcomers. “It’s like they’re scared and I’m— I just wanna help ‘em out.”
It is that warmth – which can be felt even through facetious jabs mocking beach cruisers and mountain bikers – that has made City Grounds so successful. Not only do they know what they’re doing (an absolute essential given the eccentric obsession with specifics that is the bike culture) but when it comes down to it, the members of City Grounds just want you to love riding your wheels.
Manager Brendan Sund, “We’ve really reached out to the community and over the past three or four years, we’ve really begun catering to the commuter and city rider aspect of Long Beach biking. Y’know, we started fixed-gear, single-speed specific, but since then we’ve branched out to cater to anyone who is pickin’ up a bike and riding around.”
