Opening in 1979, with original owner Fred Gay, the Connecticut Yankee started as the "Repairer and Purveyor of Bikes and the Like".  Many people ask where the name "Connecticut Yankee Pedaller came from.  Give credit or blame, whichever you prefer, to Fred.  There is a part in the book A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (by Mark Twain-- also a movie starring Bing Crosby) where a Yankee from the state of Connecticut is translated back in time to England at the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  This Yankee began producing bicycles and even successfully convinced the Knights to use the bicycles instead of horses!  Fred thought this was a quaint aspect of the book, and thus the name of the business.

In late 1980, four individuals – Fred, Dave Hendricks, Glenn Williamson, and Mike Streit – joined forces to create a partnership dedicated to bringing quality bicycles and related services to the community. For one year, they worked together at The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller. However, by October of 1981, Dave Hendricks took the reins as the sole proprietor of the shop, establishing a legacy that continues to this day.

Over the years, The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller has relocated several times, always in pursuit of a better space to serve its growing customer base. The shop’s journey through Lucas County, Iowa, began at 209 1/2 N. Main, where the shop was nestled in a small space with a back alley entrance. Though modest, it marked the beginning of the store’s commitment to providing the best cycling equipment in the area.

After that, the store moved to 613 Woodlawn, Chariton, where Dave and his family ran the business out of their garage for a solid 10 years.

In the mid-90s, with a growing demand for more space, The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller relocated again, this time to Route 1, Box 61, Chariton. The new space boasted a 1200 square foot showroom, doubling its previous size and giving customers a larger selection of bicycles, parts, and accessories.

In November 1998, The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller found its home on 908 Court, located right on the Chariton square.

The shop's next major milestone came in April 2004, when the space expanded once more. This time, the shop added a 3000 square foot section by moving into the vacant Ritz Movie Theater next door, at 906 Court. The additional space allowed the store to display an even wider range of products, including a larger variety of exercise equipment and an extensive collection of bicycles.

During the winter of 2007-2008, The Connecticut Yankee Pedaller underwent a major remodeling project, transforming the former Ritz Theater into a spacious showroom and maintenance area. The movie theater’s tall ceilings provided an ideal foundation for the new design, allowing the store to create both a lower showroom and an upper showroom that is ramped to accommodate a larger inventory.

The new showroom area covers a massive 4300 square feet, showcasing an impressive variety of bicycles, fitness equipment, clothing, and accessories. A dedicated service area has also been expanded, allowing for more efficient maintenance and assembly of bicycles, including the growing number of recumbent trikes sold and serviced at the shop. With the increased space, the team is able to provide comprehensive repairs and assembly for a wider range of bicycles, from traditional road bikes to recumbent bike, recumbent trikes and electric bikes.