Marion’s Bicycle Service
Tribune photo published June 4, 1956
Marion Eckard is shown in his shop at 132 Main. Lately, Marion has expanded his stock and now carries the durable Murray tricycles, police and fire cars and kiddie tractors.Marion's Service, 132 Main, is Story County's Schwinn franchised bicycle dealer in sales and service. The shop, which is owned and operated by Marion Eckard, handles the famous Schwinn bikes, Murray tricycles and kiddie cars - and services all makes of bikes and toys.
Marion, who has been a resident of Ames since he "was 6 months old," got into the bike business six years ago after working as a local bus driver and serving a stretch in the army overseas. In 1950, he bought the shop which was primarily a bike sales and service center. Since that time, he has added more in the line of tricycles, kiddie cars and toys.
Marion's eyes light up when he talks about the world famous Schwinn bikes. In his bike service shop he takes a lot of bikes apart so he knows that the Schwinn company uses only quality material in the manufacture of their products. Quality has always been Eckard's objective. "I want to carry the type of merchandise that I would like to buy if I came into a store," he said.
Marion Eckard, owner of Marion's Service, is shown in his bicycle repair workshop. Marion can repair all makes of bikes, and is also equipped to re-tire trikes, wagon wheels and repair all kinds of toys.Marion's Service carries Schwinn bikes in different styles and sizes. In medium weight they have 3-speed corvettes and corvettes with coaster brake, and Schwinn American 2-speed bikes with coaster brake. The store also carries Schwinn 3-speed light weight bikes. Another famous line at Marion's Service are the durable Murray tricycles in 10-12-16 and 20 inch sizes. Lately, Eckard has started carrying Murray police and fire cars; kiddie tractors with chain and pedal drive, and general toys. Marion's Service is also a bike accessory center, carrying such items as bike horns, baskets, mirrors, tires, hubs, tubes, lights, etc.
In the front window at Marion's Service are some of the famous Schwinn bicycles carried by the store. Marion's Service is the Schwinn franchised sales and service shop for the country.Marion specializes in repairing all makes of bikes and has the equipment to align wheels, fix flats, align frames and completely rebuild and overhaul the entire bike. The store is also equipped to re-tire tricycles, baby buggies and wagon wheels, and do general work on all toys. For your convenience, Marion's Service has a pick-up and delivery service, phone CE2-3164.
Mr. and Mrs. Eckard live on West Woodland in Ames where Mr. Eckard keeps bikes and trikes in good shape for Norman, 13; Diane, 8; and Randy, 2½.
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Marion's Service advertisement from January 29, 1954