Family owned and operated since 1969, Orange Cycle was founded by John Pavlisin, Sr. (second from left).  He had the vision to buy a lot on South Glassell and build his own store, which was designed by renowned local architect Leason Pomeroy. John is pictured here with his son John, Jr. (far left), wife June, and daughter Kim, who all work at the shop.  Daughter Vikki (not  shown) also works in the family business. 

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Orange Cycle

Peddling bicycles in Old Towne for 45 years and counting, the family-run Orange Cycle at 210 South Glassell could easily be a reality show in the tradition of The History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” thanks to the endearing and entertaining personalities of the owners.

“Our longtime customers know the family dynamics,” jokes John Pavlisin, Jr., son of John, Sr., who founded the shop in 1969 and still works there every day with his wife, June, and their daughters, Kim and Vikki.  “When we are at the shop, it’s just like we’re at home.  We’re not shy about our interactions with each other.”

A former aerospace worker, John, Sr. wanted to find a new career path for himself in the late ’60s.  So he set out looking for a business and ended up buying a small but disorganized bike shop in Old Towne in what is now The Charming Shoppe at 140 South Glassell.

“My father would always come home from work at 5 p.m. like clockwork, but one day he was late,” recalls John, Jr.  “When he came home, he had a grin on his face and said, ‘I bought a bike shop.’  He’d gone there to buy a tube and ended up buying the shop.”

Although he knew he could make the shop better and turn a profit, he had the vision to purchase an empty lot down the block with the intent of constructing and owning his own building.  And that’s precisely what happened in 1974 when he built his landmark store on the property where the old Atlantic-Richfield gas station used to be.

“He had a plan,” says John, Jr., who grew up working at the shop with his father.  “He had the insight to build this place, even though they thought he was crazy to build a bike shop this big in the ’70s.  But he was right in the long run.”

Indeed, it turned out to be the ideal location considering that today bike riding is a favorite pastime of Old Towne residents, Chapman University students and the OC community at large.

“People who have known us or grown up here, even if they move away, come back to get their bikes here,” says John, Jr. “We meet multiple generations of family members that have bought bikes from us.”

The shop, which sells a lot of mountain bikes, also specializes in classic beach cruisers, road bikes, adult trikes, “fashion” bikes and kids’ bikes.  Orange Cycle stocks a full line of cycling clothing and equipment, as well as baskets, GoPro mounts and accessories like trailers for transporting children.  The repair department is a big component of the business, as well.

John says all 13 of his father’s grandchildren have worked at the store at one time or another, manning the old-school, push-button cash register with crank handle or penning hand-written receipts.

“Not a day goes by when we don’t get a comment about our cash register,” says John.  “There is definitely a nostalgic feeling here in the store.  People like coming here because we are family owned.”

Orange Cycle
210 South Glassell St., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  714-532-6838