Pedal’n Pi, a bicycle and pizza shop that has been operating at 514 Bailey Road in Crystal City since 2021, will soon move less than half a mile west to 319 W. Main St. in Festus.
Chris and Rene Creed, the Pedal’n Pi owners, said they will move the business as soon as the renovations are completed at the new site, which was once the home of a Sinclair gas station and convenience store.
The Creeds will lease the space on Main Street, which Shane and Erin Mercer of Festus own. The Mercers are not only renovating the site, but also are expanding the building from 1,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet, adding a patio area and a drive-thru, along with other improvements.
“They think it will be done by the end of July,” Chris Creed said. “We’ll move the whole shop in soon after that.”
He said the additional space is a major reason for the move, but not the only reason.
“The Mercers are turning it into a very nice location for us. It’s much bigger and a stand-alone building,” he said. “We’ll have better parking.”
The fuel tanks from the old gas station were previously removed.
Chris Creed said Pedal’n Pi likely will need to hire more employees to work at the bigger location.
“I imagine we well increase staff,” he said. “We have four full-time and four part-time employees now. We don’t know how many we’ll add. It just depends on business.”
Creed said he is looking forward to operating out of the new building.
“The location is going to be great,” he said. “It’s going to fit our needs quite nicely. I’m just excited about it.”
The Creeds of Festus previously owned Gateway Harley-Davidson in St. Louis County before their interest in bicycle riding led them to opening their bicycle shop. After Rene Creed bought a wood-fired pizza oven, the couple decided to add a pizza restaurant to their business plan.
The Creeds also promote bicycle riding for all ages, but particularly for youngsters, through their nonprofit organization, Living Life on 2 Wheels.
The Mercers have developed a number of properties along Main Street, including the building at 124 E. Main St. that houses Four Brothers Mead and another building at 37 E. Main St. that houses Pine Mountain County Coffee House & Mercantile.