Ridgefield Bicycle Company founders, Sean and Jacqui Dowd announce a transfer of ownership to Adam and Erin Ray. Adam has been an integral team member at RBCo for its entirety, most recently as Sales and Service Manager.
Current owners, Sean and Jacqui, have decided to step back from the day-to-day retail operations. The Dowds and Adam have been preparing for this new chapter of RBCo. Over the past few years, Adam has taken on increasing responsibilities in daily sales and service management.
Ridgefield Bicycle Company was founded in 2011 when the Dowds acquired the small bicycle shop on Catoonah Street, Ridgefield Cycle & Sport, from longtime owners Frank and Draha Strnad. Over the past 10 years, the Dowds and their RBCo team have grown the small shop into a thriving cycling community hub at 88 Danbury Road. RBCo is now an area leader in bicycle sales and service. The Ridgefield Bicycle Sport Club, a 300+ member cycling club, started here and will maintain the shop as its headquarters for rides, education and community building.
The Dowds credit the hard work and dedication of their current and past team members for the success of RBCo. “We have had the honor of working with the best in the business. Ridgefield Bicycle Company is truly a family. We are forever grateful to every team member who contributed to building one of the most fun and fulfilling joys of our lives,” said Jacqui Dowd.
Community is the core of all things Ridgefield Bicycle. “We have immense gratitude and love for our customers,” she continued. “They support the work of RBCo and have made this venture something quite indescribable, way beyond a business. Our customers have enriched our lives with grand adventures and true friendships, born of the shared love of riding a bicycle.” Jacqui continues her work in the local cycling community as President of the Ridgefield Bicycle Sport Club.
“It is with great excitement and confidence that we are able to hand over the lead to our long-time manager and friend, Adam Ray,” said Sean Dowd. “Jacqui and I will maintain part equity ownership and remain on in advisory roles, but the management and day-to-day business of RBCo will be in Adam’s hands. Adam has been building this business with us since the early days. As our customers already know, Adam is a truly talented and experienced mechanic. He is the proven and trusted resource for all areas of bicycle sales and service. The Ray Family will be a tremendous asset to our cycling and local business community.”
“Erin and I are thrilled to take on ownership of RBCo. We will continue to provide a welcoming shop with high-quality bicycle sales and service,” said Adam Ray. “We have been working on this with the Dowds for a while. We are excited and ready to go.”
Adam and Erin live in Bethel with their 2-year-old son, Cooper. They are expecting a baby girl in July.
While there is a change in ownership at Ridgefield Bicycle Company, the goals and hard work of the shop remain the same: to provide a welcoming, trusted and positive bicycle buying, supplying and service experience for all levels of riders.
"We are pumped! Cannot wait to celebrate with you all season long," Adam and Erin said.
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