The sweetness in the air on Langdon Street in downtown Montpelier these days has something to do with the warming weather, but also the return of Onion River Sports, or rather, its successor, Onion River Outdoors. For months the papered up windows and locked doors remained an open wound in Montpelier’s downtown community that created no small amount of sorrow and anxiety, as the sports outlet was such an integral part of the community for more than 40 years.

All those who love outdoor sports in Central Vermont can thank Jen and Kip Roberts for bringing a bike and outdoor gear shop back to downtown. To the cursory eye, little should appear different than the previous incarnation. While the inventory should remain more or less the same—mid-to-high end bikes and gear, with the addition of commuter, cargo, and adventure E-Bikes—the retail floor will also include a section of used products, as well as a lounge area with 802 Coffee and local donuts.

Even before the grand opening early in June, Jen and Kip were working hard to re-energize their existing customer-base and win back any that may have moved on, starting with the continuation of the annual Muddy Onion bike ride in April to benefit Montpelier Area Mountain Bike Association and the Bike Swap in May. Community support has helped put the bike pedal to the metal, with more than $50,000 in donations raised via the website Indiegogo.

With customers and bikes flowing in and out of the doors of Onion River, it promises to be another active summer on the trails of Central Vermont.