The Community Peddler Shop is open for business.  The shop is offering quality refurbished bicycles, but there is a catch.  The catch is that you do not pay for your bike with cash; you pay for it by volunteering your time within the community.

For as little as two hours of volunteering or community service, you can earn a bike. Bikes will range in “price” from “two hours” to “eight hours”.

The shop is currently located in the lower level of the Iglesia Getsemani, on the corner of 5th Street and Central Avenue in Dunkirk.  Hours of operation are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm and, also on Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.  

The shop offers quality used bikes for children, youth and adults.  Specialty bikes are also available.  All bikes are in excellent working order and would make excellent holiday presents.  While there are many bikes from which to choose, the number is limited.

There are a variety of volunteer or community service opportunities as well.  For example, you could help rake leaves for an elderly neighbor, serve meals at the Friendly Kitchen or stuff envelopes for a local charity.  The Community Peddler staff will help you arrange your volunteer work.  Community service must be completed before receiving a bike.

The Community Peddler Shop is a collaboration among the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Spoke Folk (a program of SUNY Fredonia’s Community Outreach Partnership Program), Rural Ministry and the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County.  Donations in support of the program are gratefully accepted.

If there is community interest, the Community Peddler Shop may expand in 2009 to include additional merchandise that can be obtained through volunteer service.

For more information, visit the shop, contact Rich Goodman (673.5834 or goodman@fredonia.edu) or contact the NCCF at 366-4892.