Matt Marenger never wondered what he was going to be when he grew up. He was what he is while he was growing up. Marenger has worked in a bicycle shops since he was 12 years old and opened his own store in 1985 when he was just a senior at Escanaba Area High School. That store, owned with his classmate Rich Mortl, consisted of approximately 900 square feet on South 14th Street.

Just over 20 years and 6,000 square feet later he's in his fourth location. His Mr. Bike-Ski-Fitness shop is located at 1016 Ludington Street. His location was welcomed by the local shoppers and has added more life to the downtown area. Behind every good Mr. Bike there's a Mrs. Bike. For Matt, that's his wife and business partner, Holly. As his business grew, so did their family. Now with six children under the age of sixteen, Matt is even busier. The fact of the matter is that Matt opened the doors to a business in an industry he loves and always will. That is precisely why he comes to work with energy and goes home to see his family with excitement.

The Marengers purchased the new building on January 1st 1996 and moved in March 4th after remodeling to suit their merchandise. The 6000-square-foot main floor is twice as large as the old store located in the Mini Mall on 1st Avenue North.
The growth of the business has been constant. In 1987 Mortl and Marenger opened a store in Iron Mountain. In 1989 Mortl left the business to pursue his college degree and Matt bought his interests in both the Escanaba and Iron Mountain locations. In 1993 Mortl returned and purchased the Iron Mountain store. Matt and Holly took advantage of the situation and focused even more attention on serving the Escanaba area.

Since the move to Ludington Street, Mr. Bike-Ski-Fitness has bought out The Bike Inn on 3rd Avenue North, as well as Manning Ski Shop. When Marenger began this career, he had the customer in mind and now that he has all brands to work with, he can serve even better. The thriving business started with just bicycles, then added downhill and cross country skis and accessories. They've carried snowshoes for quite some time as well as all types accessories for the great outdoors. Mr. Bike added Fitness to the name in 1994 by selling and servicing all types of fitness equipment from free weights to home gyms to treadmills for both residential and commercial settings.

The store sells and services bicycles form its long list of brand names: Trek, Gary Fisher, Giant, Lemond, Schwinn, Haro, Fit, and S&M. That is in addition to both downhill and cross country ski equipment form Rossignol, K2, Volkl, Fischer, Technica, Nordica, and Marker. Let's not forget that Mr. Bike has been in the snowboard industry for...well...let's just say Matt was one of the first guys ripping it up out there on the slopes with Burton, K2, Ride, Rossignol, and Forum just to name a few. Matt listened to the customers and has been in the fitness industry since 1994. Our fitness line includes treadmills, residential and commercial gyms, steppers, stationary bikes, free weights, and more from names like Bowflex, True, Body Solid, Schwinn Fitness and Smooth. From the day Matt opened the doors of Mr. Bike over 20 years ago to what we are today and into tomorrow, the commitment will stay the same. Matt and Holly Marenger made the mission statement for Mr. Bike-Ski-Fitness and do everything in business to support that.

At Mr. Bike-Ski-Fitness, our challenge for spirituality of work is
to show how we can work for ourself and our family,
while at the same time, benefiting the community and
also contributing to God's plan.

Thank you for your business,
Matt & Holly Marenger