NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (October 18, 2022) —The Retail Alliance 2022 ROTY Awards were presented at the National Air and Space Center in Hampton, Va., on September 22, 2022 and Village Bicycles founder and owner, Walt Gardner, was presented with the 2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
“Walt has a long history with the brand and the bike industry,” Ray Mattes, President/CEO of Retail Alliance, said. “From taking a summer job in the ‘70s to running it for three years as a Conte’s franchise in the mid-2000s, and finally reverting back to Village Bicycles to run it independently in 2009, Walt has been a driving force of Village Bicycles’ endurance and success.”
“The part I really enjoy about the job is the people,” Walt Gardner, owner of Village Bicycles, commented. “You never know who you’re going to meet. I’m focused on the customers and making sure I’ve got the parts to repair the bikes. Every day is a new experience for me. And being a people person, the people that I meet most of the times, they start out as customers and become longtime friends.”
When it comes to giving back to his community, Village Bicycles is involved with local racing clubs and sponsoring races. They also work with the Oyster Point Rotary Club on a charity every year where they give away about 100 to 150 bikes at Christmas time. They’re given to kids through the Housing Authority because they wouldn’t have the means to get a new bike for Christmas.
Since 2008, the Retail Alliance has celebrated the Retailer of the Year (ROTY) awards for members who demonstrate the best in product quality, customer service, and community involvement.
Village Bicycles is a full-service bike shop for all riders whether young, older, recreational, or competitive. They promote the spirit of cycling as a healthy lifestyle and offer friendly, professional service and the sale of bikes, gear, apparel, accessories, plus on-site bicycle repairs and experienced bike fit services. For more information: www.villagebicyclesnewportnews.com or call 757-595-1333.
The Retail Alliance is a non-profit trade association serving the interests of local retailers in Hampton Roads since 1903. They promote and support the healthy growth of retail businesses and trade through signature programs. For more information: https://retailalliance.com
Photo by Debbie Leanne / Murawski Photography
