McCooey’s, a 55-year-old local business, welcomes new owner
June 3, 2025 at 4:45 AM
A local business that has been part of the community for several decades has new ownership but will continue to operate under the same family name.
McCooey’s has been dealing in bicycles and vacuum cleaners in Fort Erie for 55 years.
Its longtime owner Brian McCooey is pedaling his way into retirement and has handed the keys over to Chris Antaya, who worked closely with him before the transition was final on May 1 and he officially became the new face of the store at the corner of Klauck and Dufferin streets.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Saturday with a number of local politicians and town staff in attendance.
And a grand re-opening event will take place on June 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. with food from Fireside Drive and live music from Electric Lettuce.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Saturday at McCooey’s, a longstanding business that has a new owner. Credit: Town of Fort ErieAntaya, who plans to focus on the cycle and sport side of things at the business, said McCooey’s has been a “staple of the community,” and that he’s proud to keep its name, as opposed to changing it to something else.
“It makes sense to help keep that alive,” he said.
“It’s an honour to take over and keep it moving,” he added.
But Antaya admitted there are plans of “tapering down” the vacuum business as it is difficult to compete with big box stores, and that what people come in to get serviced usually deals with older products, which can be “hard to come by.”
Antaya said he’s “not shutting it down completely,” but that it will be a gradual farewell to the vacuum end of things.
He’s exploring what the “other options” might be when it comes to sporting gear.
Antaya has 20 years of experience in bike shops from New Zealand to Vancouver to Montreal.
The revamped store is one of many new businesses in the Bridgeburg area. Recent grand openings have been held for The Black Piano, Fort Erie Tailoring, as well as Kaizen Sushi and Ramen.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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