MARTINSVILLE — When you walk into the storefront at 210 W. York St., you’re likely to run into not one business owner, but two.
That’s because the location is home to two small businesses.
One of the businesses, USA American Heros, has been a staple in Morgan County for nearly a decade since being purchased by Kathleen McAughey and her late husband Mike from a Greenwood man.
For the first few years, McAughey’s husband operated the business in Mooresville until he passed away.
After his death, McAughey took the business over and eventually moved it to downtown Martinsville in early 2017.
McAughey said she moved because the business needed a larger location.
2022 election: Alcala, Culp discuss budgeting priorities in run for Morgan County Council.
She also wanted to be able to partner with Wolfe so that both of their businesses could grow.
Since opening the original Martinsville location, the area residents have been well receptive of the business.
“The town has just welcomed me with open arms,” McAughey said.
The business, McAughey noted, has become well known amongst veterans both in and outside Morgan County.
USA American Heros sells American flags, flag cases, MIA/POW flags, flags of the United States Armed Forces and American-themed clothing.
Campaign 2022: Early voting starts soon. Here’s what you need to know.
The store is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
McAughey can also often be found at the store through the week.
“My catchphrase is ‘If the flags are flying, we’re open,'” she said.
Sqweaky Wheel Bike Shop
The other business at the location is Sqweaky Wheel, a new bike sales and repair shop owned by Jason Wolfe.
Wolfe told the Reporter-Times that his business does just about anything related to bicycle repair including lubrications and tune-ups.
“I have overhauled bikes for different charities,” Wolfe said. “We sell parts, install parts and pretty much anything for bikes.”
Wolfe said his business opened March 1.
Getting outside: As temperatures warm, here are some spots in and near Morgan County to cast a line.
“It’s a brand new business,” Wolfe added.
He noted the business does not stock bikes, but does allow for special ordering.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Wolfe said he became interested in bikes while serving in Italy in the mid-1990s.
“I’ve been riding ever since,” Wolfe said.
Bike shops are often hard to come by, which led Wolfe to perform his own repairs on his bicycles.
“(Martinsville) did not have (a bike shop),” Wolfe added. “So that was a reason to start doing it myself.”
Wolfe said he hopes to see an increase in bicycling, especially because it offers an easy way for local folks to get more active.
“We do have a lot of people that live a more stagnant life,” Wolfe said. “I think more people will benefit from riding bikes.”
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
On other days, the store is open by appointment only and Wolfe can be contacted at 765-315-9994 or sqweakywheel@yahoo.com.
More: Former Martinsville police chief Matt Long accused of theft has plea hearing postponed.
The Martinsville Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the businesses’ new location Friday.
The chamber hosts ribbon cutting ceremonies for a number of reasons, including newly opened offices, those that come under new ownership and ones that recently moved.
Ceremonies are free and available to any business, regardless of chamber membership.
Contact Reporter-Times editor Lance Gideon at lgideon@reporter-times.com or 765-342-1543. Follow him on Twitter: @LanceOGideon.
