We actually didn’t begin as a bike shop. In 1958, a young Walter Harper, Sr. took his family on vacation to St. Petersburg, Florida. While there he was impressed with a new amusement ride – “Midget Cars”. Soon after returning home to Knoxville he purchased a few of these gasoline engine, independently driven little cars and secured a spot in Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park (which was a summer amusement park at that time). The popularity of these cars grew into a go-kart craze that caused Walt to expand with larger go-karts to another area of the park and also a track at Concord Park in Farragut. The necessary maintenance and growth of this new attraction called for a more permanent facility and consequently the business grew into a small engine repair and sales shop (go-karts, lawn mowers, mini-bikes, etc.) on Magnolia Ave. How’d this turn into a bike shop?
As a typical young entrepreneur, the drive to create and deliver something new was with Walt, and the “G0-BIKE” was introduced in 1960. This was a gasoline powered engine mounted on the front fork of a bicycle which propelled the front wheel and would convert the bike into a “mo-ped”. Walt soon discovered the only bikes on the market at that time which were sturdy enough for this contraption were Schwinns, so Schwinn bikes were purchased from another retailer with the express purpose of being converted into a “Go-Bike”. It didn’t catch on. However, customers were so impressed with the Schwinn bike that they were willing to purchase the bike (if the motor could be removed). It was at this time he contacted the Schwinn Bicycle Co. to apply for a Schwinn bicycle franchise.
A bike shop begins
On November 2, 1961, the franchise agreement was made and 50 Schwinn bicycles were delivered to Harper’s Midget Car Co. As the bicycle business increased (as well as lawn mowers and small engines) there was no time for the go- kart tracks, and they were closed down. (Walt also maintained a full-time job with Southern Railroad during these years.)
In 1971, Harper’s Schwinn Cyclery, Inc. was formed and a total concept Schwinn bike shop (no lawn mowers or go-karts) was opened at the present location on Northshore Dr. Walt continued to manage the bicycle business with the help of his son, Walt Harper, Jr., and his daughter, Mick Harper Doane, until his death in January 1994.
When the Schwinn Bicycle Co. was purchased out of bankruptcy by Pacific Cycles in September 2001, their intention was to dual-market the brand to “big-box” stores and independent bike dealers. Harper’s made the decision to drop their long standing relationship with the Schwinn brand. The name was changed to Harper’s Bike Shop, and other quality bike lines were acquired.
Harper’s has been fortunate to continually lead the way in the Knoxville bike market through out the years. As a new era of enthusiasm and innovation is sweeping the industry, Harper’s is keeping up with its legacy. Jon Magnuson and Shawn McCann (co-owners) continue to manage and lead the business in the direction of fun bike riding with dependable quality for every style of cyclist.
And the story goes on……