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Grand opening is Friday, May 3
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Heather and Mike Charles recently turned their hobby into a business and brought the world of personal electric vehicles (PEVs) to Mason County. In mid-April, they opened Legacy Wheelz at 415 S. James St. On Friday, May 3, the store will hold a ribbon cutting and grand opening.
It all started when Mike bought a Onewheel, a self balancing board that is operated by a single wheel in its center. “We really enjoyed it and decided to get an electric unicycle.”
The electric unicycle isn’t your old fashioned pedal operated unicycle with a tall seat hovering over the wheel. These are sleek, compact machines capable of traveling at speeds over 25 mph. They can be ridden in a variety of conditions.
Electric unicycles are becoming popular forms of transportation.
“I go trail riding with the unicycle all the time,” Mike said.
“PEVs are becoming a fast growing, popular form of transportation,” Heather said. “It’s not only a great hobby but also a viable way to get around. We saw a need in this area for a retail outlet to sell quality products.”
Heather and Mike are both 2008 graduates of Mason County Eastern High School. Mike has 15 years experience as a professional mechanic, which includes 10 years as a recreational vehicle mechanic at U-Win Motorsports in Amber Township. Heather is a full time pharmacist.
“With Mike’s experience as a technician, we are able to service our products,” Heather said. “Everything we sell is also backed by warranties.”
In addition to Onewheels and unicycles, Legacy Wheelz also sells a wide variety of electric scooters.
“The scooters have quickly become our best selling products,” Heather said. “These are high quality Yume scooters that come in different sizes. Many of them can reach speeds up to 50 mph — though we wouldn’t necessarily recommend that high of a speed —and can travel up to 60 miles on one charge.”
Mike said the benefit of a PEV is that it does not require many of the mechanical operations of a combustible engine vehicle. “These machines do not have carburetors or oil filters. They don’t need gas or oil. The bigger scooters have dual chargers. They are long range.”
Heather also pointed out that they are quiet.
“We can go for a ride as a family and have conversations,” Heather said. “That’s a nice benefit.”
Though the store does not sell adult bicycles, it does offer electric Syacyc bicycles, which are small bikes designed to teach children how to ride a bicycle. A full line of gear, including helmets, is also offered by Legacy Wheelz.
In addition to retail sales, the store is also offering rentals. Heather and Mike also plan to offer group rides around Ludington this summer.
“This is just a great hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages,” Heather said. “The scooters are especially fun for group rides because they light up in a variety of colors.”
Legacy Wheelz is currently open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours may change after Memorial Day. Friday’s ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m.
Read more about Legacy Wheelz and its products at www.legacywheelz.com. Contact the store at 231-425-3108 or info@legacywheelz.com.
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