From Pop-Up to Permanent: Wheelhouse Finds a New Home in Maplewood

Leigh Friend and Aaron Kirtz, co-owners of Maplewood Wheelhouse

📸 by Samori Etienne

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: Maplewood Wheelhouse, one of The Co-Lab’s founding member businesses, is moving into a space of their own in Maplewood this spring!

Since joining The Co-Lab, Wheelhouse has brought fresh energy, creativity, and community spirit to our shared storefront. Their thoughtfully curated collection of bikes, cycling gear, and lifestyle goods quickly earned them a loyal following—not just among cycling enthusiasts, but among anyone who walked through our doors.

Their move is exactly the kind of success story The Co-Lab was built to support. As a nonprofit retail incubator, our mission is to provide a low-risk, high-support environment where entrepreneurs can test and grow their business ideas. Seeing a member business “graduate” into their own brick-and-mortar location is the ultimate validation of that mission—and a reminder that a little support at the right time can go a long way.

Wheelhouse’s new shop is slated to open in late April in Maplewood. We’ll be cheering them on every step of the way, and we hope you’ll stop by to support them once they’re up and running.

Congratulations, Wheelhouse—we’re so proud of you!