When Tony Caruso and Jodi Devonshire decided to open a second Bike Stop Café in July 2017, a big draw was the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee Trail running behind Taubman Prestige Outlets in Chesterfield, Missouri, where the new shop is located. “The Monarch Levee Trail connects to the Katy Trail, so that was appealing to us,” said Devonshire. “And you can ride the 18 miles between our two shops all on bike trails.”

Now, with the new-age Topgolf driving range open next door and the planned redevelopment of Taubman Prestige Outlets as a restaurant and entertainment area called The District, the husband-and-wife team see even more potential.

“Our location will be a top destination spot for locals and tourists,” said Devonshire. “We already offer great food, including vegan and vegetarian options, and bike rentals. After the redevelopment, we’ll be able to expand our bicycle service, improve trail access, and add more rentals and cycling opportunities for all ages and abilities.”

Bike Stop Café Chesterfield will remain open during the redevelopment of the outlet mall. The colorful, airy shop caters to the cycling crowd with healthy food choices — breakfast all day, sandwiches, wraps and salads — plus fresh coffee and tea, beer and wine, and made-from-scratch baked goods. Vintage bikes and bike parts decorate the interior, and a small selection of cycling books, memorabilia and apparel is available for purchase.

Don’t have your own wheels? The store has hourly bike rentals to allow customers to ride out to the Katy Trail and take a self-supported tour of the wineries in Defiance, Augusta and Hermann. Both this location and the original Bike Stop Café in St. Charles provide bike shuttles along the Katy; the latter also offers bike sales and service, bike rentals (including ebikes), and multiday trips and outfitting with reservations.

Devonshire is also excited that Chesterfield has gotten its own page on bikekatytrail.com, a popular Katy Trail website, with features including a trip planner, mileage calculator, and descriptions of businesses and services along the 240-mile route.

“The Katy is very important to our business in Chesterfield and St. Charles,” said Devonshire. “We’re really fortunate to have it and all the other trails and greenways in St. Louis and St. Charles counties to help build the local cycling community and culture.”

Author: Brad Kovach is the editor/publisher of Terrain Magazine