Tri-Pacific [TP] is a fairly new, high-end, small boutique Tri/Road Shop on the sleepy upscale island of Naples [Long Beach, CA]. When it first opened, the circle of “KNOW” talked about TP’s staying power; its future looks promising. Leonard [the proprietor] appears to be developing an ardent cadre of followers; tri-characters, road evangelists, junior race enthusiasts, tek-gear-geek aficionados and people who simply love the finer qualities of all-things-bikes. He’s also creating deep affiliations with the players in the industry, personal relationships with the local cognoscenti, and shows a quiet strength of leadership in sartorial ideals and convictions on and off the bike; he’s always dressed in a fine button down shirt and well fitted slacks. His personal sense of style and his concern for quality are reflected in the character of the shop and the products you’ll find available. In square footage the shop is tiny but jacked crammed with lots of high end gear, clothing, shoes, helmets, wetsuits, general accessories, bikes by Pinarello, Cervelo, Specialized and BMC. At the back of the shop you find cool Jean Michel Frank style low back leather club chairs where you can sit comfortably and watch the traffic in the store amble around and have a conversation with the proprietor and anyone else who happens to wander over to enjoy a little bit of shop culture.
Stop in for a visit. Engage Leonard in a casual conversation about cycling. Ask him about his trip to the Tour de France [2012] when he drove in the BMC Team car and followed a few of the riders in the Individual Time Trail and went to some of the after parties. He’s a gracious host; if he’s having an espresso he’ll be certain to offer you one too.
Animaux!
