Lower rent sees bike shop shift to new location

Tim Mills, owner of Avanti Plus at Mt Maunganui.

Tim Mills, who has run the AvantiPlus Mount Maunganui cycle store in Owens Place for eight years, is relocating next week to 37 Totara St, a move triggered by finding a much better rent deal and more suitable location.

The Owens Place location, while good for the shop's profile, hadn't really helped generate sales despite its proximity to major big box retailers, said Mr Mills (pictured).

"We thought having Noel Leemings and Harvey Norman next to us would encourage cycle purchases, but we've realised over the years that it really doesn't. The people buying TVs and whitewear aren't really looking for a bike."

In addition the rent was too high and was hamstringing growth, he said.

"Where we are going to is near the Mount Maunganui end of Totara St and we think it will be a much better location for a bike shop. There will be a lot more cyclists going by the store and I think we'll get a lot more Tauranga business there."

Although the new 240sq m shop was 60sq m smaller than the Owens Place location, the rent was significantly lower, he said.

Mr Miller's shop is one of two AvantiPlus branded retailers in Tauranga - the other is AvantiPlus Koops Cycles in Cameron Rd.

All of the shops nationally are independently owned and operate under a partnership agreement with Avanti to stock the New Zealand brand in exchange for use of the name. Mr Miller is a committee member of the Tauranga Triathlon Club and the Tauranga Road Cycling Club. He has competed in international-level events in the past, but says these days his activities are focused around his two sons.