Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Tucker.
Hi Will, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was properly introduced to cycling in 2017 by my friend Ken. I had owned a bike for a couple years but I had only been riding solo. Ken and I made the connection in the church parking lot one afternoon when we mutually spotted each other loading bikes into the back of our cars. That changed everything. Once I had the experience of riding with other people, I was totally hooked. Riding bikes in and of itself is exciting in so many ways, but when you introduce the community aspect – it takes it to a whole other level.
As a mechanic, I’ve enjoyed working on things my entire life. I’ve restored a few classic cars and turned a wrench on anything I could get my hands on. Naturally, as I fell in love with cycling, I also fell in love with the bicycle itself – especially building and repairing. Over the years, I took every opportunity I could to gain experience working on bikes. Working out of my backyard shed, I would help friends with repairs, and even started doing custom paint jobs. This is where I half-jokingly coined the name “Latting Speed Shop” – carrying the namesake of my home street in Eads, TN.
Fast forward to 2020 when COVID19 shook the world. I was working full time as a charter pilot. I ultimately lost that job in mid 2020 when the owner I was flying for sold his airplane. At the same time, the demand for bicycle repair was skyrocketing as people were taking to outdoor recreation by the masses. At one point, I had 50 bikes in my garage and backyard shed waiting for repair! At that point, I saw an opportunity.
Memphis has an incredible cycling scene, and as I spent more time in it, I observed a need for a community hub. We needed a place to gather, socialize, and start our rides from. I started dreaming of what it would be like to start my own bike shop.
While I was traveling as a pilot, I often visited bike shops and cafes in various cities. A few times, the two concepts were combined as a bike/coffee shop. I always loved this concept and felt like it could be a wonderful thing for the Memphis community.
I was still in the early daydreaming phase one night when I was having dinner with my wife at El Mero Taco in Cordova. We took a look at the vacant bay next door to them. I spoke with Jacob Dries, owner of El Mero about my dream of opening a bike/coffee shop and thought maybe the space next door to him could be a good location. It was close to the greenline, had a big parking lot, and of course – a great taco shop! He told me he would help me get the coffee shop off the ground. I was sold.
I week or so later, I had signed the lease. In June 2021, we officially opened the doors of Latting Speed Shop and Team Car Cafe. Today, we are a full service bike and coffee shop serving the Memphis community – whether you consider yourself a cyclist or not!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing could have ever prepared me for what it would be like to own and operate a small business. I knew it would be challenging, but it has truly surpassed all of my expectations in terms of difficulty. As a small business owner, you must wear every hat. Some days you are mopping the floors and emptying the coffee shop grease trap. The next day you are taking care of an HR issue and managing monthly cash flow. On top of that, our business as a boutique bicycle shop is extremely relationship-centric. In a way, you are managing close relationships with 400+ people all at once. Quite the load! But of course, it is all worth it.
Since officially joining the bicycle industry in 2021, no year has been the same as the last. The COVID boom was a crazy wave of high demand and low supply that lasted a couple years. Then it sling-shotted to a high supply, low demand situation. Now in 2025 we are facing the challenges of import tariffs which are rattling the foundation of the bike industry as a whole. We are thankful for our core base of loyal customers who keep us up and running, and of course, I am thankful for the world class workforce we have here at LSS. Without the help of our manager, Lynn Greer and our head mechanic, Jackson Hutchison, we would not be where we are today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Latting Speed Shop / Team Car Cafe?
Latting Speed Shop is a boutique bicycle shop with a specialization in custom bikes, meticulous service, and comprehensive bike fits. Inside our bike shop is a full service specialty coffee shop, Team Car Cafe. We strive to create an environment that makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome – whether you are a cyclist or not. LSS is a place where you can come to purchase your next road bike, or a place to meet with friends and spend your day in the coolest “third space” in town.
As a bike shop, we cater towards all skill levels, but we have a specific focus on high-end custom builds. Our typical bike customer is one who wants to specify every component, color, and dimension of their new bike. It’s our job to manage the project, build the bike, and make sure that it fits perfectly. While Memphis has many fantastic bike shops, we believe we offer the most attention to detail in our build process that caters to the rider who wants “nothing but the best” in their next bicycle purchase.
We are proud that Latting Speed Shop has become known as a community-centric space where friendships are nurtured, memories are made, and really cool bikes are built!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
To those starting out – I recommend that you prove your business concept with “low overhead” as long as possible. We live in a period of time that allows businesses to be extremely successful with no office, retail location, or warehouse. If you can run your business out of your home or vehicle successfully – do it! Don’t feel like you have to move into a commercial location as a rite of passage. While having a commercial location is great in many ways, it changes everything in terms of operating expenses.
That being said, be bold in your decisions and don’t let anyone hold you back. Success will never be found in your comfort zone, so know that it’s going to be downright uncomfortable a lot of the time. The reward will be worth it!
Pricing:
- Coffee and Pastries $5-$9
- Bicycles $2500+
- Bicycle Service $50+
- Bike Fit $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lattingspeedshop.com
- Instagram: @lattingspeedshop
- Facebook: @lattingspeedshop
