Meet Paul Calandrella, the general manager of The Pro’s Closet who is on a mission to get more people on bikes. Calandrella has 15 years of experience in the cycling industry, holding high-level positions with the world’s largest gear makers and distributors like REI, Amazon, and, now, The Pro’s Closet, one of the largest online retailers of refurbished bicycles. Under Calandrella’s leadership, The Pro’s Closet opened its first retail location in Louisville, providing a massive space that triples as a bike shop, a refurbishment factory processing up to 150 bikes per day, and a vintage bike museum that has the gearheads and collectors in the industry buzzing. Calandrella hopes that opening a local cycling shop that brings high-performance bicycles right to the people of Boulder and Denver at an accessible price point will boost his local two-wheeling community. “I find when I get out and ride frequently, I’m physically stronger and mentally sharper,” Calandrella shares. “I move through and observe my community in a much more intentional way—and I never have to stop for gas, unless coffee counts. I’m proud to work for The Pro’s Closet and bring these benefits to others, with the added bonus of extending the life of well-loved bikes already in-market.” Supporting local communities, causes, and businesses is huge for this Boulder native, so he has built up an arsenal of hometown favorites he recommends you check out. Of course, he encourages biking to them whenever possible.
The Basics
Name: Paul Calandrella
Occupation: The Pro’s Closet general manager
Neighborhood: Louisville
Lived in the Area Since: Born in Boulder, returned in 2022
Dining + Drinks
Favorite coffee shop: Boxcar Coffee Roasters
Great happy hour: West Side Tavern
Great spot for dinner with friends: Corrida
Favorite deli: Moxie Bread Co.
Favorite brewery/distillery: Left Hand Brewing
Favorite outdoor: Acreage by Stem Ciders
Around Town
Favorite sports team: Colorado Rockies
Favorite in-city escape: Denver Botanic Gardens
Favorite place to go for inspiration: A long road ride up Left Hand Canyon
Favorite park: Wash Park
Favorite nonprofit: PeopleForBikes
Favorite barber shop: Good Barbers
Favorite long weekend getaway: Durango
Favorite artisan market: RiNo Spring Bazaar
Best Colorado outdoor destination: Rocky Mountain National Park
Best Colorado mountain bike adventure: Rollinsville to Winter Park, over Rollins Pass
