Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Local News

Discussion

July 16, 2006

Business idea for Bluewell? Developer says take it Easy

By ADRIA HAIRSTON

BLUEWELL — When you’re in the mood to relax, hang out with friends or get a custom-made motorcycle, Bluewell resident Rhonda Shoemaker wants you to think of Easy Street.

“We want to build new buildings with an old-time feeling. I have a lot of interest in bringing a coffee shop and art gallery, a blues/jazz restaurant/bar and other little shops to Easy Street,” Shoemaker said.

Currently, the “Easy Street project” consists of an up-and-coming business, Mercer County Choppers, which is owned by Mark Shoemaker and Steve Spencer.

“There has been a lot of interest expressed by the community. They want to know how soon we’re opening and what we have to offer,” Mark said.

The co-owners said they have planned to open their doors to the community as early as August 22.

“This is the first business to be housed on Easy Street. We could have chosen any other location, but we knew the potential that Easy Street has,” Mark explained.

Once completed, Mercer County Choppers will be an all service facility for motorcycle enthusiasts, Spencer said.

“We will sell custom-built motorcycles, parts and we can service bikes, also. It all will be done on-site.”

In addition, Spencer said they will sell biker apparel that caters to all riders.

“We will have shirts, leather, women’s and children’s gear. We really want to cater to our women just as much as the men, because of their growing interest in riding. We predicted that 50 percent of our clientele will be women,” Spencer said.

Next, Rhonda said she wants to start building a second structure adjacent to Mercer County Choppers. If all goes her way, that building will be home to a coffee shop, art gallery, a restaurant or shop.

“Nothing is etched in stone yet. We’d really like to be approached by people interested in opening up a business here on Easy Street. That way, we can build the facility to fit the business,” Rhonda explained.

Rhonda described an area located at the rear of Mercer County Choppers as the future site of a small park, where residents can relax and listen to local musicians.

Mark said the ultimate goal of Easy Street is to revitalize Bluewell, encourage interest in new businesses and help businesses that are already open in Bluewell.

“We love it here. I was raised here and never have I had any desire to go elsewhere — this is home,” Mark said.

“It’s quite a vision, but after visiting areas with the same type of themes, such as Georgetown, South Carolina, I thought, ‘why can’t we have something like that at home.’ Then, it dawned on me, we can have that.”

Rhonda said she and her husband began planning for their Easy Street vision four years ago, and have never looked back.

From coffee shops and sandwich shops, to custom bikes and outdoor concerts in the park, the Shoemakers said the sky is the limit on Easy Street.

“Hey, if you come to Easy Street, then you’ve gotta take it easy,” Rhonda said.

If you are interested in how your business can flourish on Easy Street, Rhonda said she can be contacted at (304) 589-6674.

— Contact Adria Hairston

at ahairston@bdtonline.com

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