"We’re here to uplift the BMX community "- Meseroll BMX Shop, NYC

How long have you been in business?

March 16, 2021 marked our fifth anniversary.

Can you explain how the idea for a store came to be?

I (Andrew York) was an independent industry rep when the idea for Meseroll was born. I wanted to create a space in Brooklyn to support the local community and the brands that keep BMX alive. One thing led to another and we’re now headed into year five.

Who owns the shop? Who works there?

I own the shop. David handles our website and online presence. Jacob creates photo and video content for us. Robell has been instrumental in helping us grow. Jorge and Randy hold us down day to day when things get crazy. Eric 52 is our hype man.

I feel extremely blessed to have such a large support system of talented and creative people who have continually given us their time and energy as we push forward.

Why did you open a store in Brooklyn, New York?

It all came together very naturally. Post Bikes had recently closed, and as new parks were popping up in the neighborhood, the BMX community needed a place to go. New York City is such a densely populated area, and the riders here put in miles. They live on their bikes. I wanted to support that. People started showing up from all over the city to see the inventory we had, hang out, ride the rail. It’s just kind of happened.

Why is Meseroll a BMX shop?

Mainly because I hate working on other bikes [laughs]. I ride all types of bikes. I have for over a decade now. But BMX is my first love. We sell and work on bikes of all types, but we’re here to uplift the BMX community. I’m putting everything I can back into the BMX industry. We put Hoder grips, Animal pedals, and odyssey brake pads on just about every type of bike you could imagine. There’s plenty of shops which cater to the average cyclist. We’re for the BMX riders.

Who's on the shop team?

Our pro team consists of Dan Foley, Seamus McKeon, Russ Barone, Matt Miller, and Joey Monsta. We’ve also got Avilla, Fabio, Ortega, G-Pops, Porno, Mantis, and Tenzin.

What promotional events have you done at the shop since opening?

Too many to count. Before COVID, we pushed hard to put on as many events as we could. Each year we celebrate our anniversary on 3/16 which is always a blast. Every Thursday the local squad meets up for a ride. Those are always fun and...eventful.

Any plans for more?

COVID threw a wrench in our plans, but we’re making the best of it. We just launched Meseroll.TV, a Twitch stream that combines our love of riding with hip hop. Once a month we go live with a DJ set and some bike building. Be sure to tune in.

How has COVID affected the shop and local scene?

At first it was very tough. Historically BMXers don’t like to follow the rules, so all the new mandates were a challenge. But as people became accustomed to this new way of life, we’ve settled into a safe and efficient routine. The bike industry is booming right now. We’re seeing tons of new riders coming in and older BMXers returning to the sport. The industry needs to take advantage of this new growth so we can push to the next level. Overall, It’s been a brutal year for small businesses, so the growth we’ve seen means a lot.

What changes have you noticed in the Brooklyn area scene since Meseroll opened?

Everybody’s bike is way more dialed. There’s more riders than ever before, and the community seems tighter than it was when we started.

Do you have any plans to produce any new team videos?

We’re working on a mixtape now. It’ll feature parts from Dan Foley, Joey Monsta, and Seamus McKeon.

How important is performing bike repairs and maintenance for your shop?

Less important than teaching kids how to work on their own bikes. Obviously, if you want your work done by the best of the best, we’ve got you covered. We want to pass along the skills we’ve learned to the next generation of riders.

What brands do you carry?

We try our best to carry brands that support BMX. We have a little bit of everything, but most of what we sell is Shadow, Subrosa, S&M, Kink, Odyssey, Cult, Sunday, WeThePeople, FIT, Profile, Eclat, Credence, Relic, Cinema, BSD, 90East, Merritt, Primo, GSPORT, Animal, Fairdale, and Brooklyn Machine Works. I’m out of breath.

In addition to brands, we love to carry signature products from riders who continue to push the sport forward, including people like Hoder, Ed, Ratkid, Dehart, Begin, Ty, Hobie, Burnett, Foley, Reynolds, Ricany, and so many more. It’s hard to keep up.

What's something you never expected to happen after opening the shop?

It’s not easy to keep a BMX shop open in New York City for five years. It’s been great to see that people rock with our vision. But more importantly I’ve been touched by seeing the excitement young riders have for bikes, and it’s meant a lot to be a part of that. At the end of the day, BMX is my passion, and I want to pass that down to the kids.

Where do you want Meseroll to be in five years?

I’d like to not work 60 hours a week [laughs]. I want to continue to expand our selection and provide more opportunities, events, and resources to the New York City BMX scene.

Any thanks?

I want to thank everyone who doesn’t ask for a discount. Special thanks to Dan Foley, Seamus McKeon, Russ Barone, and Joey Monsta for being my favorite riders and repping the Meseroll brand. My fiancee, Eleanor. My family. Thanks to Robell and Byrdman for being our business gurus. Robbie, Bonner, and Ralph. The legend, Greenwood. My man Jason at All Out Bikes for teaching me everything I know.

I especially want to thank everyone that continues to support and help out around the shop. We couldn't have gotten here without you.

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Shop address: 108 Scholes St.

Hours: 12:00pm - 7:00pm Tuesday - Friday, 12:00pm - 5:00pm Saturday

Contact info: Holla@meserollshop.com Text or Call (917) 690-6928