Brian Gluck behind the counter of Red Lantern

Red Lantern Bicycles  on Myrtle Ave. in Fort Greene opened in July. In addition to selling bikes its employees make out of repurposed steel frames, Red Lantern serves coffee and beer. Owner Brian Gluck says he wants to sell affordable bikes, and create a space to solidify biking culture in the city.

There are about three times as many bike commuters today as there were ten years ago, so Gluck figured there was a market he could tap into.  As added incentive, Gluck found a vast storefront at the crossroads of three different bike lanes, and close to the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. On a recent afternoon as customers streamed in and out of his shop, Gluck explained why he opened Red Lantern.

Red Lantern by Peter Moskowitz