Owners Merge Businesses In Syosset

Written by Gabriella Ianiro.

Many business owners establish a concept and let it grow. Others establish a
business, let it grow, and then merge businesses. Owner, Andrew Motola of Brickwell Cycling and Mulitsports of Syosset, and owner Frank Truglio, of Ridgeline Ski and Board of Manhasset, are bringing their businesses together.

“I've long believed that Brickwell should partner with a business that has
the opposite seasons to the cycling industry,” said Motola.

“Many of our customers ski during the winter and ride during the summer. The businesses have great synergies,” added Truglio.

Brickwell Cycling and Multisports currently has three locations, in Great
Neck, Manhasset and Syosset. The Great Neck location has been open since 1959, Manhasset since December 2010, and Syosset since November of 2012.

Ridgeline Ski and Board opened in Manhasset in April 2009 and is operated
as a seasonal business. During the winter months, Truglio fills his store with skis, snowboards and other winter accessories. They carry top brands like Helly Hansen, Powderhorn, Rossignol, Blizzard, Tecnica, Never Summer, Surface, GoPro, Adidas Outdoor, Mountain Hardwear, Union and ThirtyTwo.

In the warmer months, Truglio usually fills his store with patio furniture.
This year, Ridgeline’s newest addition to their business is sailing gear, athletic wear, bathing suits, tennis outfits, and sailing and summer footwear.

Brickwell carries the top brands in cycling including Cannondale,
Cervelo, Guru, Pinarello, Felt and Trek.

“We specialize in road and triathlon bikes as well as high quality mountain, fitness and family bikes,” said Motola.

Winter is the slowest time of year for bicycle sales with the exception
of high end triathlon and road bikes. For this reason, Motola and Truglio feel it makes sense to utilize Brickwell’s retail space and staff.

Syosset does not offer any ski shops; therefore residents have to travel to
surrounding towns in order to get fitted for their ski or snowboard rentals.

“There is definitely a lack of service oriented ski shops on the North
Shore,” said Truglio. According to Truglio, they offer the newest, top quality rental equipment in the Northeast.

“I believe our business in Syosset will do well and that the community will welcome a local shop in their town,” said Motola.

“Other ski shops do not pay attention to detail in the areas that count the
most. Anyone can rent equipment, however it will most likely be dated 10-plus years,” said Truglio. Just this past winter season Truglio updated his entire rental fleet with new skis, boots and poles.

“Our areas of specialty are seasonal, daily and weekly ski and snowboard
rentals,” said Truglio. Ridgeline offers many services including custom footbeds for ski boots and athletic shoes, and foam injected custom ski boot liners.

“We carry products for the weekend skier all the way to the expert heli
skier. Our business is built around solving the problems you might have on the mountain, off the mountain or anywhere in between,” said Truglio.

“As we expand the business together we continue to create a stronger
difference between what typical bike shops have to offer,” said Truglio.

For the first time, Brickwell will be doing ski and snowboard rentals out of its
Syosset location. All of the equipment will be provided by Ridgeline and Truglio will be training and assisting the Brickwell staff through out the season to ensure the same level of quality and service as his Manhasset location.

Both owners plan to further expand this rental program in the other two Brickwell locations in the near future as well.

Ski and snowboard rentals will begin in mid September through March. They
will be offering a special discount from the middle of September through the second week in October at $99.00 for skis, boots and poles for kids and adults.