Historic San Jose Bicycle Shop Burns Down

It's a sad day for local bicycle enthusiasts.

At about 9:24 p.m. Thursday, April 24, a three-alarm fire broke out at Faber's Cyclery, 702 S. First Street in downtown San Jose.

Firefighters found a fully-involved fire in the apartments on the second floor of the building when they arrived, Capt. Reggie Williams said.

The California Highway Patrol reported that smoke and fire could be seen from nearby Interstate Highway 280.

According to the Mercury News, the building, built in 1884, was home to a salon, blacksmith shop and soda fountain before it became a bicycle shop in 1921.

Firefighters couldn't get inside the building safely as it already had some structural damage and was leaning to the right, Williams said.

The building has been vacant for some time. So with the only option being an exterior attack, firefighters finally knocked down the fire at 9:56 p.m. but as of around 11:00 p.m. were still putting out hot spots and had yet to put it under control.

Electrical lines were damaged from the building as well, further complicating the efforts to fight the fire. No injuries were reported.

The fire was finally brought under control at 11:09 p.m., according to fire officials.

On the Campbell Patch Facebook Page, readers reacted to the demise of the South Bay staple.

• Gary Singh: I predicted it five years ago: http://www.metroactive.com/metro/04.23.08/alleys-0817.html
• Campbell Patch: Thanks for sharing Gary. So sad.
• Denise Christensen: Faber's Cyclery in San Jose 3 alarm fire. Bike shop/museum in process of moving out. https://twitter.com/kietdo/status/327664249398775808/photo/1
• Campbell Patch: Thanks Denise. Just a sad day for local historic preservationists and Faber's lovers everywhere.
• Nahui Legorreta: i just walked by around 9pm. I thought it was a a matter of time before it went alight. 
• Denise Christensen: :(  
• Nahui Legorreta: This is our downtown san jose home. we already lost a close friend and another's mother. Not good times. 
• Campbell Patch: Nahui: Were you living upstairs? So sorry for your loss.
• Mike Perez: Would always hit up Faber's if Wheel Away didn't have it. Both old school shops in my book.
• Nahui Legorreta: no, i live down the street. But this is our community. From 1st and Virginia to 1st and Taylor. it's downtown san jose.
• Steven Ecv Richards: Fabers was actually called Benjamins Corner EST.1889. It was the first saloon in San Jose. It is a shame to lose such a historic institution. Just thought I would share some of its history. E Clampus Vitus Matuca Chapter 1849
• Nahui Legorreta: S6J6D6 p
• Steven Ecv Richards: Some people dont know the history. And maybe they need to know that it was more than a bike shop, and it's history should be just as important. S6J6D6
• Steven Ecv Richards: I love that place, I was even taking to Alex about making it a historical landmark. This is like losing a good friend.
• Campbell Patch: Hey Steven Ecv Richards, can you explain "S6J6D6"?
• Christine YouBetcha DontchaKnow: Gary, sad and creepy
• Steven Ecv Richards: Its a bunch of friends who ride bikes from fabers and drink. And Gary, thats crazy.
• Steven Ecv Richards: And I am a historic preservationist by the way. I'm a Clamper, ECV, E Clampus Vitus.

-Bay City News contributed to this article

Do you have memories of Faber's Cyclery? Share them with us in the comments below.