Steve Depron’s 49-year-old Bike & Hike in Rock Island will close its doors on July 30 and fans are lamenting the loss of a unique bike shop they say is a “gem of a small business.”
Ever since the owner of the shop at 3913 14th St. posted on its Facebook page on May 29 that he would be shutting its doors, fans have been sharing tributes to the business, its staff and the man who runs it.
And not just for all the years the store, Mr. Depron and his employees have served Quad Cities cyclists of all ages but also for his generous contributions to the Quad Cities community. “Steve’s philanthropy reached far and wide,” one poster said.
In addition to that successful “unique” shop, Mr. Depron has been a major sponsor of the annual Bikes for Brains program. Through it, many hundreds of bikes, helmets and other gifts have been presented to children who would not otherwise have been able to afford them. The annual event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Rock Island has become a Quad Cities Christmastime tradition widely shared by local media.
Mr. Depron also has provided maintenance stops during local bicycle races and he sponsored a girls’ softball team for many years, sometimes even coaching, his supporters said. For those contributions and others he was named King of the Rock Island Junior Board Mardi Gras Ball in 2021.
Friends and bicyclists are encouraged to stop by the shop to say their goodbyes and to take advantage of Bike & Hike’s “exclusive Closing Out Sale” before it “closes its doors forever.” Bargains include up to $500 off E-bikes, up to $450 off mountain bikes, and $150 off entry-level bikes. Helmets also are half price while supplies last.
Bike & Hike is expected to be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of next month.
“Take advantage of this incredible offer and experience one last summer with Steve,” the company said.
