Today, The Factory reaches 12 months with no new home, and the world seems to be changing more than ever…
Scroll down for the latest updates from The Factory, and feel free to join us for a casual hour together this evening as well:
Factory Social Happy Hour Online via Zoom
May 31, 2020 7:00-8:00 PM CST
Join Zoom Meeting Link: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93935796001
(Simply click this link at 7pm this evening to join us, you may need the password below as well)
Meeting ID: 939 3579 6001
Password: tcff2020
One tap mobile:
+19292056099,,93935796001# US (New York)
+13017158592,,93935796001# US (Germantown)
New Video:
Memories while Moving The Factory
Premiering this evening during our Happy Hour, we will take a look at the last 2 weeks of packing up at The Factory and all of the riders and families who stopped in for one last session.
Special Thank You
One year ago today as we scrambled to pack everything up, we want to give another huge thank you to all of those who took time out of their lives during to help make this next big step possible for our facility.
80+ Hours
Doug Griess
Dustin Grice
60+ Hours
Kenny Short
40+ Hours
Alex Hiltunen
Kyle Heaser
20+ Hours
Carson Rietschel
Joe Westby
Jack Westby
10+ Hours
Reed Bleymeyer
Dani Bleymeyer
Timo Boya
Tom Haugen
Cody Reinert
Matt Peterson
5+ Hours
Butch Lehman
Brianna Hansen
Paul Pankonin
Stephane Pannier
1-5 Hours
Jay Schlie
Zimmer Family
Nick Edlefsen
Blake Schwartz
Trevor Crawford
Kayla Szafraniec
Jim Drews
Colton Walker
Robert Jara
Nick Lucas
Akshay Biyani
Any New Updates?
Our most recently proposal was submitted for a property with the City of Minneapolis, not far at all from our original location. However, due to the pandemic and recent events affecting our city and country, nearly everything seems to be put on hold.
The timing of our move out one year ago today, might have actually been that blessing that we were hoping for… And as hard as it was at the time, it may have put us in a much better position to survive in the future as we all figure out how to navigate through this pandemic.
The odds of The Factory moving into a new facility and suddenly being hit by the pandemic, would have likely suffocated the entire project. We are already seeing small businesses and parks starting to shut down, even as of today with our dear friends in Indiana at The Kitchen Bike Park. Our hearts go out to Brett and Bill Banasiewicz and their local riding scene. Their last day of operating is unfortunately today, exactly one year after The Factory was evicted.
Our show team has still been operating to help cover the ongoing monthly bike park storage and general operating & insurance costs, however amidst the pandemic, just about every single event for 2020 has been canceled. We cross our fingers that new opportunities will arise in the near future, so that we can continue to cover all of these monthly costs with absolutely no income, or taking on more loans.
The best part is, we do still have a fully complete bike park safely in storage. All we need is a long term affordable indoor place to set it all up again…
How Can I Help?
Connections with Properties
Simply Contact Us at any time. We are still exploring all possible long term options, including more warehouses in the cities, properties outside of the cities, even pole barn style options of town as well with less restrictions where we could potentially even have our own dirt jumps… Just like the Minnesota’s legendary “Green Acres” skatepark in Monticello nearly 20 years ago.
Anything is possible… Our bike park is completely mobilized & ready to go when the time is right…
Fill Out The Online Survey
As always, we need as much support as possible, and your feedback is extremely helpful as we continue moving forward. Our ongoing Online Survey is still available for those who have not filled it out.
Is The Factory still worth pursuing? What ramp was your favorite? Would you be interested in committing to your own long term lease on a property with The Factory’s equipment? These are all questions in the survey collecting feedback from our local riding community…
Support by Purchasing Our Apparel
Our Ride Minnesota and Ride Brand Apparel for all 50 States & Countries is all still available for purchase online, now with a more complete selection of products than ever including brand new face masks and patch hats. You may even be interested in, or want to tell a friend about Fish Brand, Hunt Brand, and more from Life Brand.
We are also offering Free Shipping below…
Let Us Donate a 3D Printed Face Shield On Your Behalf
Use Code “COVID19MaskSupport” for Free Shipping on any of our apparel products above, and on your behalf, we will donate a 3D Printed Face Shield Mask to the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation. We 3D Print these shields from home around the clock, and are quickly reaching 500+ shield donations. Your generous contribution to support our First Responders and Healthcare Workers will be added to our project support list on this page.
Simply leave a note upon checkout to remain anonymous, no problem at all…
Make a Direct Donation
Some individuals have reached out over the past year about making a donation. Donations towards our ongoing bike park storage and general operating & insurance costs, or even our 3D Printing supplies & materials can be made directly to The Factory here.
Thank YOU.
We look forward to seeing you for our online Happy Hour tonight at 7pm!
About The Factory Bike Park:
“Back in 2010, only a few of us walked alone into a very small and completely empty warehouse space in Northeast Minneapolis with one idea in mind, to simply ride our bikes together in our own hobby facility at the convenience of our own time, family, and work schedules.
Over the years this turned into a movement that has become absolutely infectious… Families, kids, and riders of all ages. We ride. We learn. We build. We fall. We encourage. We motivate. We get back up. We focus. We try again. We work together. We perform. We innovate. We’re not scared to try something new & we never give up. We’ve created lifelong friendships, and lifelong memories. The goals, the achievements, the experiences, and the opportunities that have evolved around The Factory have changed our lives and will live with us forever. It’s just amazing to think about what we have all created together because of action sports. Words will never describe how grateful we are for your continued support.
As of May 2019, due to uncontrollable circumstances, The Factory unfortunately can no longer continue to operate in the location where we originally started nearly 10 years ago, and we are actively exploring new locations.
To every member and every rider & parent who has ever join us for a session, and every event who has supported us over the years, Thank You. The Factory truly is an unexpected Dream Come True.”
Thank You and Enjoy Your Summer!
Thank you all. -The Factory Team