New cafe to cater to Stillwater cyclists

If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, then Shelley Vrambout knows she's done things right.

Vrambout opened the Bikery in Stillwater three years ago, and loyal customers have poured in to drink coffee, eat pastries and get their bicycles repaired ever since.

Now the one-of-a-kind shop she has competition, and it's directly across the street.

Lee Stylos and Michael Noer recently opened the Chilkoot Cafe and Cyclery in a charming 1920s brick building that once housed the Kearney Grocery Store.

Like the Bikery, it offers espressos and food in the form homemade pastries and confections. Chilkoot also has low-priced, grilled breakfasts and dinners made from natural ingredients provided by local growers. And it has a full-service store where bicyclists can buy high-end titanium frame bicycles, cycling wear and gear, as well as get their two-wheelers fixed.

"I guess I take it as a compliment that they would want to use me as a template," said Vrambout.

Stylos, who is part of a bicycling club, said he looked at 15 to 20 places before signing a lease for the building at 826 4th St. He said he wanted a great space, and the building in the South Hill neighborhood across from the Bikery fit the bill.

Stylos and Noer have spent thousands restoring the historic building, redoing the maple floors, exposing its brick interior and bringing back panoramic windows. They outfitted the interior with old but refurbished tables and chairs to give the place a comfortable feeling.

It's no secret Stylos and Noer will be catering to the bicycling audience as well. Both are members of the Chilkoot Velo, a bicycle club of more than 100 members, and plan to host bike-related events and allow riders to post their own events on bulletin boards and websites. The new eatery hosted events associated with last week's Nature Valley Grand Prix bike race in Stillwater.

"We are avid cyclists and we know that audience well," Stylos said.

Some wonder whether two shops on the same corner, both competing for bike riders and neighborhood folk, can survive. But it actually might prove beneficial for both proprietors, said Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki.

There could be an abundance of customers and bicyclists to go around in the near future. The city is currently negotiating with the Department of Natural Resources to complete the Zephyr Trail that would link downtown Stillwater with the Gateway Trail. That could bring as many as 300,000 visitors to Stillwater annually, Harycki said.

The opening of Chilkoot has spurred Vrambout to make changes at the Bikery. She plans to add a line of vintage clothing, furnishings and accessories to her offerings.

Stylos and Noer plan to brew their own specialty beer when they get their liquor license in July.

"It might be like the mall; they [consumers] will get more choices, and that might bring more business," Harycki said.

But can both survive? "I think it can," the mayor said. "I hope it can."

Tim Harlow • 651-735-1824 Twitter: @timstrib