If you’ve yet to discover the Portland Gear Hub, you’re in for a treat. From being one of the region’s best sources for finding gently used and affordable outdoor gear, to providing all of the tools and coaching you need to fix your own bike under the guidance of experienced bike mechanics, the Gear Hub has quickly become an indispensable resource for Maine adventurers.
SRG: What is the history of the Gear Hub? When did it open and why was it started?
AJ: The Portland Gear Hub opened its doors in the winter of 2013/2014 in the basement of the YMCA on Forest Ave. The initial concept was created by Brooke Burkett, who was the Program Director at Camp Ketcha (a non-profit organization serving the southern Maine community with programs in youth development, family enrichment and summer day camping.) The goal was to increase access to outdoor equipment for kids, families and individuals in Portland by recycling quality gear and refurbishing it for resale at a price anyone could afford. Donations poured in, and we quickly grew out of our basement space. We moved into Union Station Plaza on Saint John St. for two years before moving again to our current location at 155 Washington Ave. in Portland. With tremendous community support, we also raised money to open a dedicated bike education and program center called the Bike School on 85 Anderson St. Portland in May 2017.
SRG: How long have you personally been involved?
AJ: I began during our first winter in the basement of the YMCA. I met many of our current staff members that year as they volunteered countless hours helping me repair snowshoe bindings for sale in the blizzards and fix bikes in time for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Bike Swap in 2014.
SRG: What types of gear do you sell? What are the most popular types of items?
AJ: We receive donations of bikes, camping gear, cross-country skis and related outdoor gear. We do full repairs, tune-ups and clean all the gear before reselling it at our shop. We are also a full- service bike shop and take in bikes for repair. Bikes are easily our biggest seller, but we have all the equipment you need for a bike camping trip, backpacking trip or backcountry ski trip.
SRG: How can people support you? Do you take donations?
AJ: We survive on donations of gear and financial contributions! In the summer, we process over 100 bike donations each month. On average, we receive a new donation every day. Our inventory is always changing, which means it’s worth visiting frequently. We accept outdoor gear such as bikes, bike components, tents, camping gear, tents, backpacks, sleeping pads, nordic skis, snowshoes, and ice skates.
SRG: Can you tell us a little more about your open bench time?
AJ: Open Bench Time is our longest running and most popular program. During Open Bench Time, you can bring your bike into our Bike School location to use our repair stand and tools and learn how to repair your bike yourself. No experience is necessary, and there is always a mechanic there to help. Open Bench Time costs just $10 per hour or you can volunteer with us to earn free bench time credit! We offer it to the public on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.
SRG: Did we see that you also offer workshops?
AJ: We teach a series of workshops for youth and adults. Some of our programming is free for youth and adults who depend on a bike for transportation. All proceeds from sales at the Gear Hub fund our educational programming and additional classes are subsidized through partnerships with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. We also teach advanced classes for adults such as Be Your Own Bike Mechanic and Wheel Building classes for a structured and in-depth look at your own bike.
For more: http://portlandgearhub.org/
