In 2008, after spending 2 seasons as a bike mechanic in Victoria, Jawn Lafratta moved to Nanaimo to attend Vancouver Island University. He quickly realized there was a need for a bike shop in downtown Nanaimo to provide friendly service which could meet the needs of the south end and downtown community.
Jawn began fixing bicycles for friends in the Knob Hill neighbourhood in his spare time until he graduated in the spring of 2011 and opened a home based bike repair and instruction business called Hub City Cycles. Word of the business spread via friends and acquaintances to the point where work was never sparse, and by end of the summer it was obvious that it was time to expand.
At just the right time, in October 2011, Justin Francis and Keegan Metheringham were introduced by a mutual friend. They both are passionate bike riders, and even more passionate about the idea of starting and working in a community bike shop in Nanaimo. Discussion ensued and by January 1st work began on making this dream become a reality. Amazingly, by March 1st 2012 Hub City Cycles Community Co-op was open for business at 12 Lois Lane.
