Frank’s Bikes and Birds by Brian Abate

Every month while distributing newspapers, one of the most exciting places to go for me is Frank’s Bike Shop, because there are a couple of very cool-looking parakeets there. I spoke to Frank about his birds, the shop, and his move from 80 Delevan to his new location at 138 Pioneer Street.
“I’m not from Red Hook but I’ve worked in Brooklyn for a long time,” Frank said. “I was a diesel mechanic on the piers and I worked for Red Bull for five years. Then I worked for Milea Trucks for three years. From the time I was thirteen I was working on Union Street part-time and going back and forth between work and school.
My cousin asked me if I wanted to work in the bike shop in the summer and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve always been independent and enjoy working.”
Frank is originally from Manhattan but moved to Bay Parkway, and said “I like Brooklyn better than Manhattan. Brooklyn is a little quieter and in Manhattan, there’s more drama and more things that keep you on your toes.”
One of the big challenges for the bike shop is business is slow during the winter and then it gets busy during the summer. One of the keys for Frank has been making sure to save up money during the busy summers to get through the less busy times when the weather is cold.
“I actually opened up right before the pandemic and then all of a sudden everything shut down,” Frank said. “It was a good thing I was still working part-time for Boar’s Head as a diesel mechanic. I would fix trucks on the side and that’s really what kept me going in the early days of the pandemic. As they started lifting some of the restrictions I went back full-time into bikes.”
Frank explained the many things he does right now, which include tune-ups, overhauls, flat repairs, selling accessories, custom builds, selling and storing bikes and repairing electric bikes.
Story of the birds
In addition to his work, Frank takes excellent care of his birds.
“These two are parakeets and my son named the one with the blue feathers Blueberry,” Frank said. “I found Blueberry at the beginning of last winter outside, struggling, but he survived so I bought him the cage. Just last week, I bought the white one, and my son named her Marshmallow.”
The two parakeets were hanging out in their cage together the day I cme for this interview. Coincidently, when I got to Frank’s Bike Shop, a white pigeon followed me inside.
“That’s my racing pigeon, Snowflake!” Frank said. “She’s tagged and everything. She found herself a mate with another pigeon and ever since she’s been with him, she only comes back for food. She built a nest with him and they have their own thing going on but it’s good she came in now. I have to give her a special pigeon bath so she doesn’t get mites. I’ve been trying to get her to stay for two weeks but you came and I was finally able to get her back in here today. Now she can get cleaned up and get a good meal. It’s really nice to have the birds, especially on the slower days in the winter.”
In addition to taking care of his birds, Frank said, “My favorite part of work is the people. I love talking to and getting to know the customers. If the customers have kids I always give them a free bell as a nice courtesy. It’s something I’ve done ever since opening up. I like this new location a lot too. There’s more foot traffic and more visibility.
“I’d like people to know that I can also do car repairs and just that I’m a hard worker. I work seven days a week and the shop is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm every day.”
Frank’s is at 138 Pioneer Street, Open 7 days, 9:30 – 7 pm. (929) 329-8367