By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON
Apollo Mopeds, at Ocean Shores Boulevard and Chance a La Mer for more than 30 years, has closed permanently, according to an announcement on its website and Facebook page.
The shop was started by Tim Merrill and his family in 1983 as OWW Mopeds. Merrill ran the shop for 30 years until ALS, diagnosed in 2007, forced him to retire. His wife, Julie continued to operate the business for several years, but announced the closing online last week. Signs were removed from the storefront Friday.
“As most of you already know my husband is in the advanced stages of ALS/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or, as it’s more commonly known by – Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” Julie posted. “He is terminal. At this stage Tim wants me to be near him as much as possible. So I am closing the moped shop permanently to be by his side.”
Julie was interviewed by phone at the Better Options Adult Family Home (AFH) in Vancouver, WA, where Tim has lived for almost six years. “It’s been extremely hard for me to run the business and run back and forth all the time. I see how happy Tim is when I’m here, so I’ve decided I want to spend as much time with him as I can.”
Tim was diagnosed with ALS almost exactly 10 years ago. “His health is declining,” she said, noting that “less than 5 percent make it this long.” She will be in Vancouver with him much more now, but will still spend some time in Ocean Shores.
The business isn’t being sold. However, Julie said Electric Beach Bike Rentals, currently located on the south side of Chance a La Mer across from the Ocean Shores Convention Center, is expected to move to the Apollo Mopeds location early next year, and is purchasing some of Apollo’s equipment.
“My husband and I have had a really good run here,” she said. “He loved working here and so did I.” Among their many fond memories are the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, held in front of their shop in 2014. Dozens of photographs of that event, and information and photos of the couple, can be found on the website, www.apollomopeds.com.
Julie invited folks to email Tim or send him cards or letters. “Whenever he gets a message, it makes him really happy to read it,” she said. He can be reached by email at timnjulie@coastaccess.com. Cards and letters can be sent to Tim Merrill, Better Options AFH, 15214 NE 25th Circle, Vancouver, WA 98684.
