Big wheels keep turning at Willard Bicycle Shop

Larry Williams loves bicycles. An avid cyclist, he participates in many area cycling events such as the MS 150 Bike Tour, which is held each year in Springfield to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

He also rides his bike in area parades to help cultivate an interest in the sport.

Williams doesn't ride just any old bicycle when he participates in these events, however. He rides an antique reproduction high-wheel bicycle, a Whit-ney, which is patterned after an 1884 Victor bicycle.

In October 1999, Williams' love of the sport inspired him to purchase a bicycle shop that was for sale in Willard. Im-mediately after purchasing the shop, he began increasing its inventory. He bought new bikes. He bought used bikes. He bought antique bikes, and he began taking trade-ins.

By 2000, Williams' inventory had increased to the point that he couldn't store everything in his shop located at 100 1/2 Jackson St. in Willard so he began looking for ways to expand.

Just across the street from his shop, adjacent to the Frisco Highline Trail, is a large cinder block building owned by Ozark Greenways, a nonprofit group of private citizens dedicated to enhancing and preserving the Ozarks natural heritage for public use and enjoyment.

At the time, the 5,560-square-foot building, which formerly housed Willard Block Co., was scheduled to be torn down. However, Williams received permission from the organization to store some bicycles in the building. In exchange, he signed a three-year lease and agreed to make improvements to the building, which was in a state of disrepair.

Because the building is owned by a nonprofit organization, Williams was able to get several area businesses to provide him with discounted or donated materials for some of the building's improvements. Williams, in turn, donated his labor.

He pressure-washed the walls and added water, sewer and electricity to the building. He also had some blueprints drawn up, which detail future improvements, including air conditioning, heating and office space.

"Ozark Greenways approves all the changes I make to the building," Williams said. "I'm hoping to sign a long-term lease with them next year. After that happens, I'll move my entire operation over here."

According to Williams, the building could become "the premiere stop on the Frisco High-line Trail." Currently, many cyclists, joggers, walkers and nature enthusiasts use the trail, which runs from Willard to Bolivar.

"Ozark Greenways already is making improvements outside the building, and they've done some landscaping," said Wil-liams. "I'd like to add a pond, a snack bar area and some other things that will make people want to stop here."

Williams said he plans to use some of the building's space to construct the Bicycle Museum of the Ozarks. The nonprofit museum would provide visitors with a history of bicycling and contain many of the antique bikes that are part of Williams' personal collection. He also plans to include a section where area collectors can display their bicycles.

"I really want to get this museum going, and I'm looking for donations," he said.

In the meantime, Williams is continuing to increase the shop's inventory so he can become a high-volume/low-overhead dealer.

Currently, Willard Bicycle Shop stocks more than 100 new, used and antique bicycles, which range in price from $150 to $1,200. The shop also does a wide variety of repair work on both high- and low-end bicycles.

"I started this business be-cause I love to ride," Williams said. "I try to keep bicycling affordable by keeping my prices down."

Williams also believes in customer convenience, and he keeps Willard Bicycle Shop open seven days a week. Although he's the shop's only full-time employee, several family members help out at the shop, including his wife Sue and their two children Melissa and Justin.

In addition to running his business, Williams conducts bicycle safety seminars at local schools throughout the area. He also supports several local Boy Scout troops by helping scouts earn their merit badges in bicycling.