Business
April 22, 2013, 6:15 pm

At Klutch NYC, Shop For Biker Gear Or Hit the Playstation

By RAY LEMOINE
Manhattan-20130422-00708Ray LeMoine
Manhattan-20130422-00706-1Ray LeMoine

Though bicycles are about to grossly outnumber motorcycles in the East Village, a new shop is catering to bikers of the badass variety.

Last week, Klutch NYC, a motorcycle apparel store, opened in the former Tokyo Rebel space. Actually: “It’s not just a store,” said Rafael Rios, the 27-year-old owner. “We have a couch for riders who want to stop in, maybe jump on the Playstation or watch TV.”

In a narrow, exposed-brick space branded in a way that resembles SoHo skate shop Supreme, riders will find helmets, jackets, pants, gloves — just about anything they’d need. A former employee of Ducati in SoHo, Mr. Rios grew up in Long Island City, Queens, but is currently living in New Jersey while looking for an East Village apartment (attention, brokers!).

As for the store, he pays around $3,500 a month in rent and put about $50,000 into the space.

Klutch NYC, 170 Avenue B (between East 10th and 11th Streets); (212) 228-4332 

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