Adam Leddy: Where did the bike shop/coffee shop idea come from?

Chris Cannon: I used to have a job that I hated going to. My very supportive wife got tired of hearing me bitch and proposed that I start my own business doing something that I enjoyed. It was either coffee and scooters or cigars and writing songs for pets.

CC: Our coffee comes directly from the roaster (Caruso’s Coffee) weekly to make sure we’re brewing fresh. Also, we carry fresh baked goods from several local bakeries even though it’s a pain in the ass logistically to make pickups every day. We carry items from Bakery Gingham (best cupcakes), ABC Cookie (best cookies), Pattycake (best vegan and whoopie pies), and Eleni Christina for biscotti and scones (best scones).

CC: Our coffee doesn’t suck. Also, we’re open long hours - starting at 6a on weekdays and staying open until midnight on weekends. Our baristas are the nicest and we have free parking for our customers.

CC: We have open mic night every Saturday - so poets or musicians can get involved then. We have barista tales and cards and coffee on Monday, speed dating on Tuesday, Columbus band hour- where we play music from local bands. We’re still looking to add some events - pole dancing lessons and snake handling classes are just a couple ideas we’re considering.

CC: Are you kidding? What’s not to love? We like to support the neighborhood here in the Short North and involvement in the GLBT community is a big part of that and you guys are the voice of that community. Also, we need people to know where we are. We’re a little hidden; tucked in the corner of the parking lot on the corner of High and Price next to Salon Lofts and it’s easy to drive by and not even see our sign. People living within a couple blocks of us drive by without realizing what we do. We’re a coffee shop - a full-blown coffee house with lattes, scones, and other fancy stuff, but not too many people realize that. But back to the GBTL community: what events, functions or meeting could we host for you? Let us know!

CC: Yes. Scooters are dangerous, but with the right safety equipment and training, people can learn to minimize the risks associated with riding. They’re a blast to ride, get great gas mileage and are excellent for city driving since they’re so nimble.

CC: Everyone’s buying scooters now. College students, young professionals for commuting, empty nesters for recreation, and seniors ride them everywhere. I’d say the percentage of GLBT scooter buyers from our shop is about 50%. I don’t know if that’s higher than the national average or not, I haven’t seen any statistics to that level of detail.

AL: How do I know which is the right scooter for me?

CC: Start with the color. Too many people are looking for reliability, a warranty, and available service when what you really want is something that you look great on and that can fit a 6-pack and bag of ice under the seat. This part’s important. If the under-seat storage isn’t lined with plastic, it’ll rust out. Seriously though, the process of finding the right scooter is a personal one and can be as simple or complex as you make it. Check out our website (thekickstart.net) for questions you need to ask yourself and the information you’ll need to make an informed decision. In short, compare the following: price; reliability/warranty; how does it look?/is it fun to ride?. Unless you want vintage, always buy from a dealership.