Choppertown Motorcycles and Kustoms comprises a mechanic workshop, cafe, barber shop and retail clothing outlet. 

Wodonga couple Jole Styles and Lara Northey opened the Thomas Mitchell Drive complex earlier this week after a 12-month fit-out.

“What we’ve tried to create is a custom culture store; the embodiment is about motorcycles, cars, hot rods and muscle cars,” Jole said.

Wodonga born-and-bred, Jole said he had long held plans for the space, which had been three mechanic workshops over 60 years and a furniture store.

He said his colleague bought the building when it came up for sale in 2016.

“I was at the Mooneyes world bike event in Japan (Jole was among five chosen to represent Australia) and got a call from him to see if I wanted to do my shop,” he said.

Jole said he had wanted to develop a custom culture store in Wodonga for about seven years.

“We knew there was a niche for this in Wodonga,” he said.

“We’ve worked on it seven days a week for 11 months with just four days off over Christmas.

“There has been so much interest from people seeing the space take shape.”

Jole said the custom finishes, industrial steam pump style barber and polished concrete complemented the branding.

“I watched a motorcycle documentary about 10 years ago; it was called Choppertown; all about The Sinners bike club in California,” Jole said.

“I just loved the name and it stayed with me.

“It’s not Albury-Wodonga anymore; it’s Albury and Choppertown!”

Choppertown employs six staff including two barbers.

Ms Northey said the project had been a combined team effort.

She said the retail outlet stocked brands such as Vans, Dickies, Deus, Loser Machine Company and Biltwell Inc.

“We’re bringing some international brands to the Border for the first time,” she said.

Choppertown will celebrate its opening with a block party on June 23 at 62A Thomas Mitchell Drive.

Highlights include a car and bike exhibition, live graffiti show with Kade Sarte, Vans giveaways and artists hand-painting products, Gamze Smokehouse Milawa products, Bridge Road Brewery beer and live act Red Empire.

Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie will arrive in style on a Harley-Davidson.

Action starts 2pm and runs until 7pm.

Choppertown operates 6.45am to 4.30pm weekdays and 9am to 4pm weekends.

Hours will be extended once it becomes licensed.