Willie Engelbrecht closing down?

[udxcob]

I heard the doors were closed today.

[Kranswurm]

I find this extremely disturbing.

I have known Willie since the 80's when I bought my first real road bike from him when he worked at Alans shop in Jhb.Absolute gentleman and a credit to cycling as a sport and someone who respected those around him,including novices.

I can only wish him all the best in these difficult times and I hope that he rises to the fore and re establishes himself again.Go Willie!!!

[cyclingfiend]

Got this sms just after 12 last night:

The WE Lifestyle centre have closed its doors by own choice despite rumours going round. We will take time out to restructure and will open at the same premises once we feel comfortable with the new concept of smaller, better, smarter.  Thank you all for the support over past decade.  PS Any ideas for future wiill be welcome

Sad to see. Never had anything but the best from John and Willie. What was special is that they had everything in stock. I wonder where that huge stock of bikes and spares will end up.

Been to Deon Gerber in Durbanville and seems he is on the ball and deserves support.

[ColiHoff]

Long time since I've been on this forum. I actually thought I'll never get back in writing another word about cycling. Heard about WE yesterday morning. I had a meeting in Edward St. (Tyger Valley) and after the meeting I went to Willie's shop. It was closed down. Five individuals stood outside the shop. Four of them trying to look through the windows and one on the cell with arms like a windmill. It was true. On a normal business day (Friday) nothing was happening at WE Lifecentre. I'm still in shock. I've heard many rumours. True or false, whatever the case may be, all I'm asking is for the cycling fraternity to help and support Willie. He must be going through a very bad and tough period in his life. Through own experience WE gave me some of the biggest highs and lows a person can get. In command on a bike he was a tower of strength. Legs pumping and pulling away from the opposition like a dragster. Road and track. When he was on a low it was an avalanche coming down the mountain. He went down as in taking the count on the canvas. Dramatic stuff. It's bad if something like this happen. Competition is of the utmost importance amongst merchants and Willie had that competitive edge. But, there will always be something to share with the next person. Don't close the door on Willie. I'm sure with the right support he will bounce back. The biggest surprise I got came from Chris Willemse sr. I went to his place of business after I drove past Willie's shop and I asked him if he knew what went wrong after I've been out of the loop for so long. Chris (bless his soul) was genuinly concerned about the whole scenario. "I don't know. In business we've never been friends, but I hope everything is OK with Willie and his business. We've been competitive and it was good for business. I honestly hope we can continue the 'friendly' relationship we had over the last few years. Willie meant so much to cycling and I need him to be in the market. I hope everything is OK". Chris, I salute you. For all the years (25) I've known you, you were the one making fun of the other one without any malice. There were many rumours about you and many people jumped to conclusions without getting their facts straight. You never meant any harm. That's the way you are. You will never change. Getting older you might be a little more subdued, but you are still a naughty bastard. I know if you can, you will help Willie. That's the kind of person you are and I will always be willing to testify for that. I feel deeply sorry for what happened to Willie. If he and his staff can get it together by going smaller etc., please let it happen asap. I know for a fact that Chris will give his blessing to this. Wille deserves to stay in the loop. Just get everything together again. He did it once before and nothing is stopping him from getting everything back on track again. I'm sure Chris will welcome it. 

[GLuvsMtb]

Most of the hardware is in the shop on consignment basis, so I am sure that the distributors took their stock off the floor by now.

 

Thank you Willie for serving the cycling community so well over the last decade or so. I hope that it is indeed temporary and that we'll see your shop opening again.

 

Smaller and more focussed is better. I take my MTB to a shop that deals with MTB's almost exclusively in Plumstead. It takes me an hour to get there and an hour to get back to work, but if I am going to spend good money on my bike, I go to the shop that knows me, my bike and my requirements. And it helps that they are a fountain of knowledge and experience. This shop shared with me that their turnover is actually up from last year. They don't make bags of cash from sales, but their workshop is full 24/6 (they dont work on sundays) and the waiting list is about a week for scheduled services etc. (the small things they sort out on request, but I always ask nicely )

 

[Spark]

10 Years ago WE Cycles was the shop that lifted all the other shop's standard. No shop could supply as fast as they could. Willie and John need all our support when they open again. I think they are gonna be better than ever. "Watch this space"

[bowelmovement]

i think it is dispicable that other shop are using this thread to punt their own shops, you guys are worse than a bunch of vultures. Maybe one day you will be in the position, and we will see how you feel when other people try and take advantage of your misfortune.

[tiger cycles]

i think it is dispicable that other shop are using this thread to punt their own shops' date=' you guys are worse than a bunch of vultures. Maybe one day you will be in the position, and we will see how you feel when other people try and take advantage of your misfortune.[/quote']

 

Bowel........ I couldn't agree with you more. No-one is imune to having to close there doors.

 

Thanx Willie for all you have done for the cyclists....Well done mate.

And good luck in any future ventures.

[RobbieDale]

Colin well said; Willie is a good person that did so much for the standard of bike shops in the Western Cape. He was a brilliant cyclist and took that edge with him when he opened his store, I hope he holds his head high and that he soon realizes that this is but the start of something new in his life rather than the end of it! In my experience your comments of Chris snr is spot on, he has calmed with the years but I respect him imensly, not only as a wise old cycling head but for lasting so long in a very tuff industry. I hope that Chris jnr follows in the old mans footsteps.

 

No doubt we will see Willie soon, either riding hard at the front or setting a new standard in bike retailing!

[Willehond]

I am amazed, I never thought the day would come that WIllie's shop would close!  I honestly feel for Wille and especially John.  He's always been great at helping and with excellent kowlegde as well as a great guy to race against in the league.  This will eave a HUGE hole in the market.  I used to love going to CWC and Willie's in one trip and enjoy both places a lot.

A sad, sad day.

Good luck guys!!!  Keep us updated as to what's happening.  Very, very tough days...

[The O]

In these tuff times busineses's need to make drastic changes, ie cut over heads + watch expenses etc. to stay competitve just to survive.

Loads of companies are doing just that. Many people are being retrenched in many diffrent industries. The wave is still comming there will be many more.

 

Willie, John and all the guys, THANK YOU for THE GREAT SERVICE and setting the benchmark in CT and SA.

Good luck to you and your families, we are thinking of you.

 

We look forward to seeing you cycling legends' back soon, with new concepts and once again changing the whole cycling experience.

 

ENJOY THE REST, TIME WITH THE FAMILY AND BRAIN STORMING.

The O2009-06-27 22:48:12

[Dirt Professor]

Yes, its quite a shame. Hope the guys at W.E. find good new jobs!

 

Deon is a good and friendly guy to go to, but theres also the guys from CMC (Cycle Maintenance Centre) in Plattekloof area. Probably some of the best mechanics in the country (all ex-Willie mechanics). They mainly specialize in repairs. 0219305656.

 

Think they collect and deliver as well.

 

 

[wheels]

Yes , it is sad for all of us. Best of luck to all of them. I beleive that the best workshops in Cape Town is at Marks and CWCycles. I use to take all my work to Mark but since CW jnr got involved at CWC they became one of the best workshops in town. Cycle Maintenance is also good. 

[L'Bie]

 

 

Willie Engelbrecht

was the single individual who got me into cycling! I was located in the far

northern Namaqualand and no cycling shops around,

yet WE always found a way to help. The same when I dealt with John Connor. Both

stand-up guys and committed to service excellence. Many of you already

testified to that including CW senior. I don?t know if Willie or any of his

sidekick are on the Hub or not, but I do hope that the general well being of

the Life Style Centre will soon be healthy again and I do hope they get to hear

the message that they have many friends out here.

 

 

L'Bie2009-06-29 04:02:50

[PappaBear]

Geco Cycles in Brackenfell is where I do my business.

 

Fred cool guy, doesn't try to smoke you for every cent.

 

[Diesel !!]

 willie closing cause you wankers buy from chain reaction, what about

      local is lekker