Citizen Chain Cyclery

• Rosebud was a bike!
• Declaration of Principles

Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, the inspiration for our store’s name, is the story of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane. Upon his death, reporter Jerry Thompson, scrambles to discover the meaning of his final utterance, “Rosebud.” At the film’s end, it’s revealed that “Rosebud” is not a dark secret, but the name of Kane’s beloved sled, which represented the happiest time of his life: his childhood.

Unbeknownst to viewers, however, “Rosebud” was based on another beloved childhood possession of the same name—a bicycle. The prized possession of Kane’s screenwriter, Herman J. Mankiewicz, it was stolen from the front of a public library in his hometown of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Blaming Herman’s irresponsibility for the loss, his parents refused to replace the bike. Rosebud was never returned, but Mankiewicz’s lost friend lives on in one of the greatest films of all the time.

Whether your childhood bike was lost, stolen, given away, or just outgrown, Citizen Chain aims to bring back the childhood joy of riding. Whether it’s fixing up an old friend or connecting you with a new one, we hope to give every rider a “Rosebud” to serve as his or her partner along the way.

We built this shop on the principles of love and care that we lavished on our own two-wheeled friends, and we aim to provide the same level of service for yours. Whether it’s repairs, upgrades, new bikes, used bikes, “new old stock” bikes, or parts, we have something for every rider.

Citizen Chain LLC opened its doors in 2007 with one mission: to help our customers find and maintain a bicycle that is truly their “best friend,” and a companion on their journeys. Whether it’s a vintage Italian steel racer, carbon climber, fixed-gear track bike, or a classic American cruiser with a one-speed coaster break, we encourage you to come in and tell us more about your wheeled friend-we may have found him or her already!