Loetzsch Cycles

The Loetzsch family lived on the corner of Clay & Darling Streets in West Ipswich in the early 20th century. The three brothers were born between 1909 and 1916.

Altogether brothers Alf, Bert and Vic Loetzsch sold and/or repaired bicycles and motorcycles in Ipswich for over 50 years (1926-1979) from several locations including: 12 Brisbane Road, East Ipswich; 223 Brisbane Street; 189 Brisbane Street, opposite the QT; and 2 Wharf Street, Ipswich. All the brothers started in the business by repairing second hand cycles and selling from home prior to moving to shop premises. Certainly, by 1925 Alf and Bert had taken that step, and around 1935 Vic followed.

Bert was the eldest. He was very young when he started repairing and selling bicycles from his residence. In 1926 he moved into an old shop near the corner of Waghorn and Brisbane Streets. Later he moved the business across the road next to Watkins Fruit Shop and then into Watkins shop when their business closed. In the 1930s, Alf also would use these premises to sell pushbikes. Bert had a business relationship with Big White's in that he repaired second-hand bikes for their second-hand trade and they supplied him with spare parts. In the 1930s Bert sold his business to Alf Bishop (The Happy Trader), but bought it back a few years later. 

In 1937 for Vic's 21 st birthday, brother Bert set him up in a bike shop in the Club Hotel building at 215 Brisbane Street. This was Silver King Cyclery, later known as Bon Ton Cycle Works.  In 1938 all three brothers were trading from separate premises in Ipswich. Bert was performing bike repairs at 189 Brisbane Street; and Alf at 223 Brisbane Street was trading in used motorbikes. The brothers sometimes shared premises so that Loetzsch business history is intertwined. By September 1939  when World War II broke out, Vic & Alf were both working at 223 Brisbane Street in a building later purchased by Alf. At this location they sold Silver King, Flying Eagle, and Victor Cycles and were the agents for Ariel, Harley Davidson, and Coventry Eagle motorcycles.

Both Alf and Vic left their respective businesses for sometime during the war but returned to the cycle business in Ipswich afterwards. 

Bert was located at 12 Brisbane Road, East Ipswich until at least 1949. In May of that year he advertised a clearance sale at the premises perhaps with a view to retirement. Alf traded from 223 Brisbane Street until at least 1950. At this time, Vic was operating at 2 Wharf Street opposite Fehr's, beside the river. He remained in business here despite being inundated by the 1974 floods, until 1979 when he retired. 

The building at 223 Brisbane Street is currently (2024) occupied by Saddleworld, and previously by The Professionals Real Estate agency.