Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Devonshire.
Hi Jodi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband, Tony, and I have always shared a love of adventure. We actually met through an adventure group where we spent our weekends biking, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the outdoors. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that those shared passions eventually became the foundation for our business.
Before opening Bike Stop Cafe, our careers looked very different. Tony was a journeyman and furniture designer, while I was a middle school science teacher. I later earned my Ph.D. in Science Education and taught at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Neither of us came from the bicycle industry,
After the housing crisis in 2006, Tony’s work slowed dramatically, and we started thinking about what our next chapter could be. One day, while out riding with a friend, Tony had the idea of combining a bike shop with a café. At the time, services for Katy Trail riders in St. Charles were limited, and there weren’t many places where cyclists felt they truly belonged. We saw an opportunity to create something different—a welcoming place where everyone, from first-time riders to seasoned cyclists, could gather before and after their adventures.
In 2010, we opened Bike Stop Cafe in a small building in Frenchtown in St. Charles. People often ask if we started as a bike shop and added the café later. The answer is no. It was always both. From day one, we believed cycling is a social activity. After a ride, people want to sit down together, enjoy good food, share stories, and plan their next adventure. We also offered Katy Trail shuttles from the beginning, although trail traffic was only a fraction of what it is today.
Our vision wasn’t just to serve cyclists, it was to make cycling more accessible. We wanted to remove barriers, welcome riders of every ability, and create a healthy place where people could eat well. At a time when most casual dining options centered around fried food, we wanted to offer something fresh that reflected the active lifestyle our customers enjoyed.
One of the biggest surprises was how quickly the community embraced the idea. We honestly didn’t know how people would respond because there wasn’t anything quite like Bike Stop Cafe in the area. The cycling community immediately welcomed us. Katy Trail riders found a home base, and local residents were excited to have a place that focused on healthy food, great coffee, and community. That’s when we realized we were onto something special.
Over the years, Bike Stop Cafe has grown into much more than we ever imagined. Today we offer bike sales and repairs, rentals, shuttles, luggage transfers, and fully supported Katy Trail tours, while still serving the coffee, breakfast, and lunch that have been part of our vision since day one. What started in a small building in Frenchtown has grown into one of the Midwest’s premier cycling destinations, welcoming thousands of locals and visitors every year and helping introduce countless people to the beauty of the Katy Trail and Historic St. Charles.
Looking back, what makes me proudest isn’t the growth of the business, it’s the community that’s grown around it. Every day we have the opportunity to help someone discover the joy of cycling, whether it’s a child’s first bike ride, a family vacation, a weekend on the Katy Trail, or a cross-state adventure. We’ve watched friendships form over coffee, strangers become riding partners, and visitors return year after year because Bike Stop Cafe has become part of their tradition.
When Tony and I first dreamed up the idea, we simply hoped to create a place where people felt welcome. Sixteen years later, that’s still our mission. If someone leaves feeling healthier, happier, inspired to ride again, or simply feeling like they’ve found a place where they belong, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.
It all started with two people who loved the outdoors, one idea on a bike ride, and a belief that adventures are always better when they’re shared.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a ride! Like most small business owners, we’ve had our share of challenges, but two stand out above all the rest.
In 2019, Historic St. Charles and the Katy Trail were hit by major flooding. It affected our community, tourism, and many of the businesses that depend on visitors. Just as we were beginning to recover, COVID hit in 2020. Overnight, travel stopped, events were canceled, and the uncertainty was overwhelming.
Those back-to-back challenges tested us in every way, financially, emotionally, and personally. Recovery wasn’t something that happened in a few months. It took years of hard work, creativity, and determination to rebuild.
Looking back, those experiences also reminded us why we started Bike Stop Cafe in the first place. We were supported by an incredible community of loyal customers, dedicated employees, and fellow small business owners who believed in us. That support kept us moving forward, even when the future felt uncertain.
Today, those difficult years have made us stronger and more resilient. They reinforced that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles. It’s about finding a way through them. We’re grateful that Bike Stop Cafe not only survived, but continues to grow and serve the community we love.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bike Stop Cafe. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bike Stop Cafe is much more than a bike shop or a café—it’s a place where adventures begin and lifelong memories are made.
From the day we opened, our goal has been to make cycling accessible to everyone. Whether someone is an experienced cyclist riding across Missouri, a family looking for a fun afternoon together, or someone who hasn’t been on a bike in years, we want them to feel welcome the moment they walk through our doors.
Today, we’re proud to be a full-service cycling destination. We offer bicycle sales and repairs, rentals, Katy Trail shuttles, luggage transfers, fully supported multi-day tours, and expert advice from people who truly know the trail. At the same time, we’re also a café serving fresh coffee, breakfast, lunch, and healthy options in an environment designed for people to relax, connect, and share stories after a ride.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just rent bikes—we help create experiences. We help visitors plan bucket-list adventures, celebrate milestones, reconnect with family and friends, and discover the beauty of the Katy Trail and Historic St. Charles. For many of our guests, we’re the first stop on an unforgettable journey and the place they look forward to returning to when it’s over.
We’re also incredibly proud to be a part of the St. Charles community. Over the years we’ve become a gathering place not only for cyclists, but for runners, walkers, local residents, and visitors from around the world. Building those relationships has always been just as important to us as fixing bikes or serving great coffee.
If there’s one thing we’d like people to know about Bike Stop Cafe, it’s that everyone belongs here. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy cycling, and you don’t have to own a bike to experience the Katy Trail. Our job is to remove barriers, make people feel comfortable, and help every guest create an adventure that’s right for them.
We’re not just a bike shop or a café, but a place where people feel welcomed, encouraged, and inspired to explore.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
No one builds a successful business alone, and we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have so many people support us along the way.
First and foremost, we’ve had each other. Tony and I have very different backgrounds and strengths, and that’s been one of our greatest advantages. We’ve always approached challenges as a team, balancing each other’s skills and encouraging one another through both the exciting times and the difficult ones.
Our employees deserve tremendous credit as well. They aren’t just staff, they’re ambassadors for Bike Stop Cafe. They greet visitors from around the world, solve problems, repair bikes, prepare meals, and help create the welcoming atmosphere that people remember long after they’ve gone home. Many of the compliments we receive are really a reflection of the incredible people who work alongside us every day.
We’re also deeply grateful to the cycling community. Long before Bike Stop Cafe was established, local cyclists welcomed us, shared ideas, spread the word, and believed in our vision. Their enthusiasm helped build the business in those early years, and they continue to be some of our biggest advocates today.
The Historic St. Charles business community has also played an important role. Small business owners understand the unique challenges of entrepreneurship, and we’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by people who collaborate, encourage one another, and genuinely want to see each other succeed. That sense of community is one of the things that makes Historic St. Charles such a special place.
Most importantly, we’re thankful for our customers. Some have been with us since we opened our doors in 2010. Others travel across the country and make Bike Stop Cafe a tradition every time they ride the Katy Trail. Their loyalty, referrals, encouragement, and friendships have meant more to us than they probably realize.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past sixteen years, it’s that Bike Stop Cafe isn’t just our business, it’s a community. Every person who’s stopped in for a cup of coffee, trusted us with their bike, taken one of our tours, or recommended us to a friend, has helped shape what Bike Stop Cafe is today. For that, we’ll always be grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bikestopcafes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bikestopcafes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bikestopcafe/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bike-stop-cafe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/bikestopcafe
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bikestopcafe
