MISSING LINK BICYCLE COOPERATIVE

Hello, friends! Is it tacky to ask for an early birthday present? Maybe so... but here we are. As we’re coming up on 50 years of Missing Link worker-owned goodness, we find ourselves in crisis. Like many other small businesses, the Covid-19 pandemic is threatening our long-term survival. As a brick-and-mortar bike shop in the age of online retail, our margins are already razor thin, and since we are so dependent on steady revenue, being mostly shut down since March 16th has ...been financially devastating. For 49 years (!), we’ve been here in the heart of downtown Berkeley, building deep relationships with you, your families, your dogs, and your bikes. You might have found us any number of ways. Maybe your parents brought you in for your first kid bike, thirty years after their own. Maybe you were drawn in by the trippy cartoon ads from the East Bay Express back in the day. Maybe you accidentally wandered in looking for McDonalds. Whatever the case, thank you - we appreciate it! We’re turning to the community for support right now, because without an immediate boost, we’re not sure that we’ll be able to get through this. We’ve applied for every form of government assistance available, but like everyone else, we’re trapped in the logjam and have yet to see a dime. Meanwhile, we have workers we can’t pay, bills stacking up, and monthly rent due on a space we can’t use. We realize we’re in the same boat as a lot of other folks, and we definitely don’t feel more deserving of your kindness than anybody else. This is a global emergency, and everyone is feeling it. But we’re hoping that those of you who like what we do, and are in a position to be able to offer support for 50 more years of 100% worker-owned bike shoppery, can throw some help our way. Think of it as a 50th birthday gift, one year early. We already planned to do some celebratory stuff next year for our anniversary, now we’re just getting a head start on the festivities :) To whatever extent you feel comfortable, if you're able to spread the word, we appreciate it so so deeply! https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-missing-link-survive

Did you know about Father José María Arizmendiarrieta Madariaga, founder of the Mondragón cooperative movement, namesake of the Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives -- and apparently an avid cyclist?!

Workshops are here! Click here to sign up. -

EPIC SALE! Road bikes on closeout, 20% off parts/accessories 11/9 - 11/26. And Workshops! - https://mailchi.mp//epic-sale-and-workshops-at-missing-link

We have openings! Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]