Kegel’s Bicycle Store in Rockford earns national retailer excellence award
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Kegel’s Bicycle Store was recognized as one of the top bicycle retailers in the country with a 2025 Retailer Excellence Award from the National Bicycle Dealership Association.
Fewer than 55 stores qualified for the honor, and this year marks the eighth time that Kegel’s has won the award. The shop, 2605 Charles St., received the highest designation of the platinum level.
The award requires great shopping experiences, expert leadership, cycling advocacy and support from the community, according to the NBDA.
“We work really hard to try to be the best shop we can and make people happy, just so they have a good experience in the store,” said Robb Sinks, who has owned the shop with his wife, Theresa, for 28 years.
Kegel’s and other participants worked with the association over a three-month period to develop performance indicators, organize community events and gather feedback from the community.
Kegel’s has given back in a variety of ways over the past year, fixing up used bikes to donate to Rock House Kids, Carpenter’s Place and Shelter Care Ministries. It also held a community bike ride in November that culminated in the delivery of supplies to the Veterans Drop-In Center in Rockford, among other events.
“I am so inspired by our retailers who are doing the hard work of looking inward at the volume and quality of sales and come together with us and share ideas to help this amazing community of retailers that we have around the country,” Heather Mason, president of the NBDA, said in a news release.
More honors: Bar manager at Crave in Rockford wins Bartender of the Year at Las Vegas expo
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
