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Jan 11, 2025
Thank You for 14 years of Serving Doylestown!

Foster's Toy and Cycle Shoppe (1949-1985)
Since 2011, we have been proud to be a Main Street business at 139 S. Main St. in the Borough of Doylestown. We believe in the power of brick-and-mortar retail businesses to contribute to the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the community. In 1949, John Foster left military service and opened a Goodyear tire business at 139 S. Main St adjacent to his half of a twin home. While he tried to sell automobile tires, his wife Kay would occupy the prospective buyer's wife and children by selling dolls in the parlor. Frankly, she was more successful with the toy business, and John was no fool. Over time, Foster's Toy and Cycle Shoppe became an iconic and unique Doylestown business famous for Halloween costumes and the place where many of us got our first bicycles from mechanic Wally Fryling.

John Foster (2nd from left) with his father's 1883 Columbia "High Wheel" bicycle and members of the Wheelmen.
After 35 years in business, John and Wally sold in 1985, and Foster left the original location soon after. The building hosted a few businesses over the years but was often unoccupied. In 2012, we moved our fledging bicycle retail business to 139 S. Main St. and restored the space to its original purpose. John's descendants lent John Foster's 1883 Columbia "High Wheel" bicycle to restore it to its original place of honor in our showroom window. In 2020, our neighbor and friend Chris Blackway opened Nomad Supply Company in the former toy shop space. In addition to being vintage cycling enthusiasts, John and Kay Foster were passionate outdoor enthusiasts and exhibited joie de vivre. We think they'd be thrilled to see the space in its current use. Since 1949, ten thousand kids have gotten their first bicycles at 139 S. Main St. They've experienced independence, gained balance, and learned a life-long love of movement. It isn't Doylestown's prettiest building, but it has been a community hub for 76 years and we are proud to have contributed to that history.

139 S. Main St. by John Westcott
Thank you John Westcott for capturing our 14 years at 139 S. Main St. Here's to many more.
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