BENTON, Ark. — Bike sales have soared during the pandemic and finding one you like has become difficult for shoppers.
A Benton business, Holy Roller, is trying to keep up in a big way, so kids still have the chance to get a bicycle.
Aberitt Wilson, like many Americans, has struggled to find a bike just his size as the coronavirus pandemic has brought on a nationwide bike shortage.
"This is amazing what they are doing. They are going to make a lot of people happy," said Wilson.
He's talking about Holy Roller in downtown, who displayed dozens of free bikes in front of its shop Friday.
"It's just what we love to do,” said Denise Whitworth, CEO of the bicycle repair shop.
Whitworth said giving back to the community is a part of its mission.
With a need for bikes bigger than ever, her team has taken donated broken bikes, and parts from every size, shape, and color, refurbished them, and put them up for free grabs.
"I have a certified licensed mechanic that goes through and does safety inspections on our bikes to ensure they are all in proper working order when leaving with a free bicycle in hand,” said Whitworth.
The word got around quickly on Friday, attracting people from across the state.
"They went fast. We had from Little Rock, Malvern, to Hot Springs. People just coming to see who we are about,” said Whitworth.
For the first time in months, Wilson was able to find the perfect bike for himself stacked away in the free pile of refurbished bikes.
"It's awesome, I really like it. It's going to be fun,” said Wilson.
The shop said its repairs for a cause don't stop here and hope to bless more families and children very soon.
"As long as we continue to be donated to, we will be able to donate back to our communities,” said Whitworth.
Holy Roller is always accepting donated bikes at its shop, located at 108 North East Street in Benton.