Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

NEGAUNEE — Experts say that business moves in cycles. This advice couldn’t be any truer, literally, for a Downtown like Negaunee. As the city continues Moving Forward, we can’t help but to attract new and upcoming businesses to our downtown and our community. I recently had a conversation with Blake Becker, a former resident of Three Lakes, Michigan, who currently lives in Tennessee with his family. They are now looking to return the Upper Peninsula to begin their new journey in opening a bicycle shop named Love and Bicycles.

Blake is married to Allie, a graduate of NMU with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a second degree in geographic information sciences. Currently, Allie is an educator and stay-at-home mom to their two daughters, Josie and Amelia, ages 7 and 9.

Blake, has worked in many industries and gained certifications in carpentry, home repair and maintenance, automotive electronics, business Management, design, quality Assurance, and has over 27 years of bicycle mechanics/sales experience. His new path has him transitioning out of a 10-plus year career in automotive electric quality engineering, to his new venture as a local bicycle shop owner/operator.

Before moving to Tennessee in 2010, Blake was the assistant manager to David Mason at the former Central Upper Peninsula Food Bank on Ash Street in Ishpeming. During his tenure at the food bank, he helped devise a direct food distribution plan that paved the way for the current model. Today, Feeding America food trucks from Grand Rapids, distribute food to those in need in the area.

Becker’s family represents five generations of Upper Peninsula heritage. “We always considered the Upper Peninsula our home base regardless of where we found ourselves in the world”, Becker said. His great grandparents and grandparents (Lundstrom and Heikkinen) came from Republic. His sister and her family live in Negaunee. His sister runs the Negaunee gymnastics program, and her husband Jon Andrus-Becker is on the Negaunee planning commission. His wife’s parents and sister live in the area.

“Cycling technology is now mirroring automotive technology in many ways. My in-depth experience in both sectors and in problem-solving will serve customers who come to visit our shop well,” Becker said.

His plans to offer workshops and public events will have a strong focus on open feedback from the community and his customers, he said.

“Negaunee is a great family oriented community,” Becker said. “We are excited to meet and network with everyone. We will run our shop in a very community-focused manner.” Becker has purchased a building in Negaunee’s historic downtown and hopes to have his business up and running in the early part of 2021.

I asked Becker why he and his family choose to invest in Negaunee, and where they see the downtown in the next five years.

“Negaunee looks to be experiencing a renaissance. New businesses are noticing that Negaunee is a city of great history and excellent values,” he said. “These businesses are investing in Negaunee. We are excited to be part of this trend. Negaunee is well underway at transforming itself into a people-centric place-based economy.”

I want to welcome the Becker family back to the Upper Peninsula and let them know that they have a strong partner with the City of Negaunee. We will do what we can to assist in the creation of Love and Bicycles and work with them to meet their goals. Negaunee’s downtown is Moving Forward day by day, we don’t even need training wheels!