Thanks for that info Matt.
Matt mentions that Ben Lawee was the 2nd owner of Long's Bicycles. I notice a large percentage of Italvega bikes, another project that Ben launched, coming from this area, and they usually have a Long's decal on them. Does anyone know the beginning and ending years of Ben's ownership and/or tenure there?
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield, Michigan, USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:39:29 -0700 From: Matt Gorski <milanocc@gmail.com> Subject: [CR] Jones Bicycles Celebrates Its Centennial Year and a Remarkable 100-Year History To: classicrendezvous _Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org_ (mailto:Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org)
For our Southern California vintigestas...... tomorrow is the 100th Anniversary of Jones Bicycles in Belmont Shore, CA, also home of the farwest Milano CC. The old shop has had 4 owners and has weathered every storm over the last century from riots to earthquakes to economic hardships. The original store was on Long Beach Blvd in downtown Long Beach. Many expansions and contractions have opened and closed perhaps dozen 'Little' Jones shops. In the 1990's the main shop moved to 2nd St in Belmont Shore in east Long Beach. Couple years after that it finally moved across the street to a former sporting goods store (Pat?s Ski and Sport). I can see the shop from my garage. I know there are several "Jones Bicycles" alums on this list! A point of interest is that Ben Lawee was the 2nd owner. He imported Bianchi's and Legnanos and went on to found Univega Bicycles. He sold that line to Raleigh when he retired. The current owners have made the shop pretty cool (in a modern-retro way) with larger than life props, games and gizmos and the odd Porsche parked in the showroom or a red Corvair van out in front!
http://jonesbicycles.com/
There will be a block party with all sorts of events. Even a bicycle parade.... with 80 or 90 bikes in my garage I better make up my mind soon...should be fun...just sayin'
Matt Gorski
Milano CC
Belmont Shore
CA USA