'For The Love Of Bikes': Beverly Veteran Opening New Topsfield Shop

TOPSFIELD, MA — A former U.S. Navy intelligence officer who lives in Beverly is shifting gears from his military and corporate background to open a new bike shop in Topsfield next week.

Jake Munroe, who was born and raised in North Andover and now lives in Beverly, is looking forward to the grand opening of Munroe Velo Bike Shop in the former location of Bicycle Shop of Topsfield.

Munroe said the shop's motto is "For the love of bikes" because "no matter who you are, or what level you are, bikes should be fun."

The bike shop is part of a lifestyle evolution for Munroe, who served as a counterterrorism analyst and cyber intelligence analyst during three tours with the U.S. Navy, including two in Afghanistan where he supported Navy SEAL Team 4 and Navy SEAL Team 6.

A Norwich University graduate, he left the Navy after seven years to join the corporate world. Munroe said he was then facing corporate burnout and sought a closer sense of community, passion and purpose.

He bought the bike shop when it went up for sale in October and sought to pursue a passion since he was young. Munroe's father has been a competitive biker in the area for more than 40 years.

Munroe Velo is a full-service bike shop and will sell all types of gear, accessories and bikes — including gravel, road, mountain, kids, and e-bikes — from brands including Giant, Liv, Kona, Salsa, Ibis, Early Rider and others.

Munroe said he is excited to open after the shop has already been met with excitement from the community.

The bike shop is located at 7 Grove Street in Topsfield. It can be followed on Instagram at @munroevelo.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)