After arson destroyed Country Cycle and Ski's Main St location, owner Peter Loewen wasn't sure how he'd recover.

However, he didn't have to wonder long; the community immediately responded.

"There was a lot of people willing to help me get back on my feet," Loewen says. "The support was pretty darn incredible."

Loewen shared the emotional story at the Small Business Week Luncheon on Thursday, hosted by the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce. He describes building a

Loewen hopes to open by the end of November.business from scratch, from inception to early growing pains, to self doubt and finally financial success and creating a community. All that was taken away in an instant when arsonists started a fire in his back shop this summer.

Within hours of the story breaking, a gofundme campaign was started and has since raised over $22,000 to keep the bike shop alive. Winkler Co-op also offered a temporary space at 725 Main Street while the bike shop and repair business prepares their new location.

To keep from dwelling on the tragedy he surrounded himself in the cycling community. The same weekend of the fire Loewen continued with plans to host their annual Back 40 cyclocross race.

"I had to keep moving," Loewen says. "And with the support and love I was feeling from people I didn't have time to be angry or sad."

Along with hosting a cyclocross race and sending members to competitions across the Province, Country Cycle also organizes two different riding clubs twice a week that accumulate more than 50 km a ride. The club continue to grow in popularity.

"We didn't take a break after the fire which was good because I think I needed that," Loewen says.

With that support he looks forward to opening in the new larger space at 204 Main Street, often known as the former Credit Union building, near the end of November.