A new bicycle retailer is coming to Hayes Valley, taking over the space that formerly housed interior design shop Lotus Bleu. Linus Bike, which was founded in southern California in 2009, will be opening its second brick-and-mortar retail shop at 325 Hayes St. this fall. 

Lotus Bleu closed its Hayes Valley shop in June, moving operations to Potrero Hill. Owner Jeannie Fraise cited building maintenance issues and a rent increase as reasons for her departure. 

Not long after, we learned that Ernest Alexander was preparing to move into the smaller, right-hand side of the retail space, at 327 Hayes St. The high-end menswear shop opened its doors at the end of August. According to a tipster, Linus Bike will take over the larger left-hand side of the retail space, number 325. 

Linus Bike draws its inspiration from French bicycles created in the 1950s and 1960s. The bikes are described on the company's website as a "utilitarian city bike ... simple and reliable, but with a personality and style that makes you feel like you’re in an old French movie."

Photo: Linus Bike/Facebook

Full price bikes start at $399 for a simple step-through single speed, and go up to $899 for a bike with gears and Shimano components. Linus also sells a number of bike lights, bags and accessories for the urban cyclist. Similarly themed PUBLIC Bikes also opened a Hayes Valley shop last year, two blocks away at 549 Hayes. 

We reached out to Linus Bike for more information, but have yet to hear back. There's no word yet on exactly when the new location will open, but Craigslist posts are up advertising Assistant Store Manager, Retail Store Manager and Retail Sales Associate jobs at the shop.