https://www.sourcebmx.com/?rfsn=4772610.92bf38f

"A BMX shop gives a good solid base for a scene to thrive!" - Powers BMX

From travel trailer to RVA staple...

5 May 2021

2021 Powers Instore 05

Interview by Rob Dolecki

Powers BMX shop went from 6x12 trailer traveling around to races to a well-stocked Richmond, Virginia storefront that hosts jams, a ramp setup and a huge BMX museum. We caught up with Chad Powers, and he covers all kinds of topics from commonly asked questions he gets, to COVID's effect, to weirdest request, and more.

The importance of BMX shops to local scenes (and BMX culture) can not be underestimated and that's why we support them. Throughout the year we'll continue to feature our DIG Partner Stores from around the world, so look for more local BMX shop articles throughout the year here on DIG.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
2021 Powers Instore 02

Powers BMX, Richmond VA

How long have you been in business?

Opened in 2004, so this August will be 17 years!

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

I raced for a long time and injuries put me out of racing. i never wanted to get out of BMX so I saved up money and bought some product and started vending at local tracks and skate parks out of a small 6x12 trailer my parents bought me. Then it just grew into a bigger trailer, then an even bigger trailer, then our first store spot in Richmond. and we grew out of that into now our new store! We had moved to Richmond in 2015, then moved into our new building November 2020.

Why is Powers a strictly BMX shop?

It is what we are passionate about! I know we can make way more money in other parts of cycling, or sell scooters or skateboards, but BMX is what we love!

Who owns Powers? Who works there?

I, Chad Powers owns it. but it definitely wouldn’t be possible now without Donnie who does all the media/internet, Curtis who is Curtis, Jojo who ships all the orders, and now Richie who answers all the phone calls!

Who's on the shop team?

We have a solid race team that’s supported by GT bicycles, Profile, Fly racing, and the shop. We just started a small freestyle crew with James Lucas, Latané Coghill, Curtis Cantwell, Lee Giorgetti, Mason Ritter and Josh Delarosa.

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

We have had lots of events at the old spot, but nothing major at the new spot due to COVID. We did a game of bike series that ruled, and the final game was in the warehouse with a couple scratchy ramps. Dan Conway won; he’s such a rad dude!

Any plans for more?

Yeah, we will definitely have lots of events at the new space!

2021 Powers Instore 04

How has COVID affected the shop and local scene?

COVID has been a blessing to the cycling industry! the big effect on the local scene as been the party’s and jams we would put on at the shop.

How have you been affected by the increase in people solely buying online, and what have you done to combat that?

Yeah, we were steady growing before COVID, and it just boosted it more! But we were planning on moving into the space prior to COVID as well, but it just proved it a better idea! We also have hired more staff to help.

What changes have you noticed in the scene since the shop opened?

The scene is ever changing, and the shop doesn’t dictate that! But a BMX shop gives a good solid spot and base for the scene to thrive!

Do you have any plans to produce a team video or something similar?

Yeah, Donnie is the man with that. Probably no actual team video, but follow us on Youtube, and he puts out a lot of rad things! Mid School Mondays with our BMX musuem, quick hits, and all around weird things!

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

We don’t do anything unless it’s a BMX bike; we don’t really charge labor either! We'd rather keep the scene rolling than make that $5 on a tube repair.

Tell us more about the Powers BMX Museum.

We have an almost 300 bike BMX museum; again it’s 100% BMX and all eras. Personally I love the 70s, but we have Nic Long's bike he rode in the Olympics, we have lots of samples and one-offs; almost one of every limited edition Profile hubs brand new. You can follow us more on IG @powersbmxmuseum.

2021 Powers Instore 03

"There's also a dude who rides by every day with a kid trailer but has a dog in it that wears sunglasses."

What brands do you carry?

We basically carry all BMX brands. We push more the brands that support the scene, and also the brands we ride!

Which brands are doing well for you right now?

Honestly in COVID times... what’s in stock!

What’s the most commonly asked question?

"Is this in stock?"

What is the weirdest request you’ve ever had in the shop?

We are listed on Google as Powers BMX shop because of all the non-BMX calls we get. Curtis also had someone try to buy his dirty pants...

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen happen out front?

I watched a high-speed car chase. There's also a dude who rides by every day with a kid trailer but has a dog in it that wears sunglasses.

What's something you never expected to happen after opening Powers BMX?

It becoming what it is now; blows my mind every day!

Where do you want the shop to be in five years?

Hopefully with a legit concrete park in the back, and who knows- wherever it takes us! We’re along for the ride!

Location: beautiful downtown Richmond, Virginia

Shop address: 3119 Williamsburg Road 23232

Hours: 10-6 Monday-Saturday and 12-6 Sundays

Contact info: 804-308-1847 www.powersbmx.com @powersbmxshop

2021 Powers Instore 01

Powers BMX is an Official DIG Shop Partner.

Related Video

D.I.Y. BMX WORLDS 2019 - POWERS BIKE SHOP SEASON FINALE

"the true essence of BMX- just having some fun, messing around on bikes" - More Info

Related Video

FBM X DIG DIY World Championship Finals - Powers Bike Shop

The Final Stop Was Mayhem - More Info

Related Video

MID SCHOOL BMX MONDAYS! - Powers BMX

Taking some twenty-year old whips for a spin... - More Info

Previous

Snapshots: The Legends League Texas

Presented by Scotty Cranmer & Referee'd by Mat Hoffman

Next

Product Drop: DEAD LEISURE

Australia's finest

Related Content

Screen Shot 2016 05 12 At 11 43 01
Play Button

FBM - Powers Bike Shop Jam

The grand opening of Powers Bike Shop

12 May 2016
Fbm Powers Thumb
Play Button

D.I.Y. BMX WORLDS 2019 - POWERS BIKE SHOP SEASON FINALE

"the true essence of BMX- just having some fun, messing around on bikes"

6 Nov 2019
Mid School Bmx Mondays
Play Button

MID SCHOOL BMX MONDAYS! - Powers BMX

Taking some twenty-year old whips for a spin...

9 Feb 2021
James  Lukas  Powers  Bmx
Play Button

James Lukas - Powers BMX

Maybe the best over tooth down a rail ever?

18 Feb 2016
Leeper Bros X Powers Bike Shop X Profile Racing
Play Button

Leeper Bros x Powers Bike Shop x Profile Racing

Profile's latest collab now available...

10 Aug 2020
Profile Fbm Maiden America Powers
Play Button

FBM X Profile Maiden America Tour - Powers Bike Shop

Garrett Guilliams, Trey Jones, Eric Holladay, Mark Mullville, and more

13 Sep 2016
Wheel Mill 2020 11 02 Twm Shop 8 Of 67

"We're big on giving back to who supports you" The Wheel Mill, Pittsburgh

Steel City's best indoor wood and goods...

17 Feb 2021
Powers Mix 4
Play Button

Powers BMX - Instamix 4

"4TH INSTALLMENT WHETHER YOU ASKED FOR IT OR NOT."

27 Nov 2018
Dig Pusher Instore 2

INSTORE: Pusher BMX

Denver's BMX staple...

11 Dec 2020
https://shop.sundaybikes.com/collections/sunday-frames?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

Latest Content

O YAL9 Zi LA0 Yhqdefault
Play Button

BOYD HILDER - JETLAG UNPLUGGED

Unseen Hilder

6 Oct 2025
O M9z YI0js W Mhqdefault
Play Button
0n0nssvm A Uohqdefault
Play Button

MIKI FLECK 'ELECTRIC ZUIN'

240v on those spots

3 Oct 2025
B7 Cl Ny w Dbchqdefault
Play Button

LISMORE ROAD TRIPPIN'

NOTHING BEATS A ROAD TRIP!

3 Oct 2025
K7lg 7k5yl4hqdefault
Play Button

Vans x Odyssey Anniversary Collection 2025

"In honor of their 40-Year Anniversary, Odyssey have partnered with Vans on a new limited-edition collection"

2 Oct 2025
13 J4 Ao Oc Akghqdefault
Play Button
Overtime Thumbnail Colour v2 copy
Play Button

OVERTIME

Ft. Chad Ferch, Kent Fuller, Matt Perrin & More

1 Oct 2025
NSA08 Ouah Zghqdefault
Play Button

Shred BMX - Think Different

Perspectives from the Cleveland scene

30 Sep 2025
Q dz J Ycs5b8hqdefault
Play Button

V1DA - 'NO WAY OUT' JAM

Plaza Universitat, Barcelona

30 Sep 2025
56 Pk4 X0bnv4hqdefault
Play Button

KINK BMX - DAKOTA BRATT

Original and unique style on the streets of the US West Coast

29 Sep 2025
G02 Kr RA3 V70hqdefault
Play Button
Bros lucas thumb
Play Button

BROS STORE RIPPER - LUCAS MARTINEZ

From Paris to the south of France

25 Sep 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025