Yojimbo's Garage

Halloween leftovers.

I recently adopted a kitten (Charlie) to keep Buddy Guy company at the shop. Somewhat unexpectedly Charlie’s mom (Mama) came with. Please stop by and say Hello to these new residents.

With new cats come a slew of vet bills (currently over $1200 and spay/neuter still remaining) and if you’d like to contribute to these new expenses I’m including PayPal, Venmo and Cash App info with the photos.

Thank you. -Marcus, Yojimbo’s Garage
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQxECvTCYOA/?igsh=Y2VuZmkxaTNwMG9i

What a moment: 28 Years since the birth of Yojimbo's Garage on July 5, 1997… the very first day of my shop's opening.
So many stories, memories, and changes… but have you heard the latest critical news?
Long story short, our landlord passed away, a long-time friend and supporter. Now the building is for sale, the bike shop needs a home, and I am seeking a partner(s) for the next chapter!!!

Admittedly, I feel a little like a deer in the headlights, not sure how to proceed. Doing this for over half of my life, 90% of my working past, I’ve served the community for years. So there you have it, the current truth and an answer to questions and speculation. A lot of people would like the shop to survive but I can't do it on my own. Now is the time to read the news, visit, ask questions from me directly. Come by for a visit, tell a friend, and most importantly show up if you are inclined, that’s what makes this wonderful bike community of ours so special in this country.

Drop a line or come in… don’t forget to check the hours and KNOCK Loudly 😉

-Marcus

Thanks to Graham Nelson for helping edit my thoughts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMmF0etggO6/?igsh=cWkwOGE0ZTFqdnYw

Aged, worn, effective, appreciated.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ4_byfvseg/?igsh=MWg1ZXR0eWl3NzRueQ==

Paul Disk Word / Spain CX-Ray / Derby SR 35i
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJUeQqMxZjI/?igsh=ZnlhZ25sNW11anlq

‘Get flowers’ she said
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIrboglPMGR/?igsh=MTJ6eDJ1ZGh1NWZvNA==

Dan Appleman and I first met in April 1996.

I was looking for workspace and he had vacant property at 1310 N Clybourn Ave. Under Cabrini Green’s shadow he showed me around the old brick building, built in 1888, with all of its ins and outs, underneath the vaulted sidewalk and the story behind the previous tenant (a storefront church) and we hit it off. Signing the lease ushered in a relationship that lasted nearly three decades.

Dan was raised in a blue collar family here in Chicago, studied Forestry at SIU and came back to work as a painting contractor. While in his 20’s he started buying empty lots at auction, eventually moving on to buying buildings. 1310 N Clybourn was his last purchase aside from the small house in Florida he bought a few years ago, with thoughts of retiring some day.

I started renting from him when I was 23 years old and over those years I learned a lot. Dan was a mentor and a friend and a father figure in many ways. I spent countless hours with him doing building maintenance, helping with hardware store runs, hanging out at his home, chatting about everything under the sun. He was abrasive and opinionated, at least on the surface. He was definitely a unique character whose positive attributes came with nuance.

I mention this because Dan met many of my friends and customers and became a landlord for four of them... But he had some heart problems and passed away two years ago. Only a couple of people knew the extent of his health problems; when under the weather he would tell his tenants that his old hernia operation was bothering him.
I’ve been meaning to post about him but didn’t know what to say.

Dan Appleman was a good man and we were all touched by him- he affected me in significant ways and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting my bike shop Yojimbo’s Garage then you have him to thank as well, the shop would have never existed without his influence.

DT Swiss 350 / DT Swiss Competition / Velocity Cliffhanger
https://www.instagram.com/p/DG6DJyTRxF_/?igsh=MW12ajlic3RibnBmbA==

Yojimbo’s Garage will be closed today- Friday Feb 21.
Open this weekend- noon to 4pm both days.
Sorry for any inconvenience.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGU1SW3Oaoo/?igsh=eDJkeWcycHRnMjBx

Pearl
Aug (?) 2011 - Feb 4, 2025
From New Milford to Chicago, Princess Pearl of Yojimbo’s Garage knew many through her outgoing and affectionate character. She approached everyone who entered, during waking hours, and never met anyone who she wouldn’t curl up with if given the chance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_QA4JvcoF/?igsh=cG8xODMxMzdhdDE1

Time for a change.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DETTEYmv1cU/?igsh=MW1zMTNkeDlibzhsag==

Shifty kitty Buddy Guy
photo: A Monroe
https://www.instagram.com/p/DD0CozSvpCd/?igsh=bDhjNm1hdmg5NWZ3

Chris King rebuild time
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDLOrpsP5s4/?igsh=Mm0xMGVxazZ0Yzdu