To the Editor:

There has been a lot of speculation of the closing of The Tread Mill at 55 Market Street in Potsdam.

I would like to clarify what is happening at my business. I am attempting to close the shop some time in 2017. The tears have flown by and I need to start thinking of retirement, in spite of all the joys serving the cycling community.

The timetable is flexible at this point, but there are certainties. I will be closing from late October 2016 until early December to live in Phoenix, Arizona. After returning to Potsdam for the holidays, the store will close until mid-March of 2017., same as last year and then reopen for the spring.

The profitability of the small retail bicycle shop is diminishing every year. Small town independent retailers have become obsolete as our dollars go to online sellers and big box stores. Small retailers cannot survive on the service end of the business. Our community has seen similar fates of established business like Northern Music and Video and Wear on Earth.

I am attempting to find a qualified buyer for the business, but the prospects are slim. My inventory levels are still good with great closeouts on complete bikes. But the purpose of this letter was not self-promotion, rather informational.

I want to thank my loyal customers. It has been a fantastic 44 years.

Ted Prahl

Potsdam