Backcountry Bike and Ski adding onto their storefront and turning 10 soon

PALMER— Anyone driving down Arctic Avenue is sure to notice the construction on the right hand side, right after the Pioneer Motel.

Backcountry Bike and Ski is nearly done adding an additional 700 square feet of space. Owner Tony Berberich wanted to let everyone know that the store is still open during this transitional phase and invite them to the store’s 10-year anniversary and open house to christen the newly finished expansion.

“If we shut down [during construction], I think a lot of people would be bummed,” Berberich said.

Since its start, Backcountry Bike and Ski has grown substantially over time and this project seems to be a perfect reflection of that. The current expansion provides additional space to the front side of the building and once all the sanding, sweeping painting and other last touches are done, there will be another cash register. Berberich explained that the idea for project was to open up the shop, helping with the overall “flow” of each customer’s shopping experience. This project is phase one, he said. Phase two is next year and he wants to add a second story right above where the sole register stands now.

Berberich peered up to the ceiling with a flashlight to point to the original wall from this building’s earlier days. Built in the 1950s, the current Backcountry Bike and Ski used to be a Texaco gas station and even a liquor store at one point, according to Berberich.

Store manager Brandon Thielke said that the Backcountry staff has bikes not just for fun, travel and sport but also something he called “community tools” to bring people together under a common love for adventure with a tire or ski usually underneath.

Backcountry works with several groups, classrooms and organizations like Sprockets, a national children’s bike group with local chapters here in the Mat-Su, throughout the year. They’re regularly asked to lead educational workshops with bikes and skis, showing kids how to safely ride and maintain their equipment, according to Thielke.

“I think there’s always been an adventure mindset with Alaskans,” Thielke said.

They also hold several annual events with the community. Their annual group rides like the Palmer Spring Classic and Hatcher Pass Epic often pull in sizable crowds, Berberich said.

“One hundred fifty people showed up before,” Berberich said.

During the Hatcher Pass Epic, a group of bicyclers start at the shop and peddle their way up through Hatcher Pass all the way to Willow and back to Palmer again. These events are not timed nor are they competitive, Berberich said.

“If you want to be timed, I tell people to bring a watch,” Berberich said. “It’s more about having fun and enjoying the ride with friends.”

Thielke said that the 10-year anniversary and open house will be the store’s way of thanking the community that embraced them a decade ago and continues to grow with them. He kept referring to the customers as “friends.”

“We use that term interchangeably around here,” Thielke said.

The 10-year anniversary and open house us Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend this free event. There will be light hors d'oeuvres and drinks available as people stroll about the shop.

“They can hang out as long as they want and hang out with friends old and new,” Thielke said.