SCHS students build bike rack for local business

Ice cream parlor partners with school for ag mechanics project

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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When Meredith Oliver opened her new ice cream parlor, Ida Claire, in downtown Social Circle, Georgia, she wanted to provide an outdoor area for families to enjoy their treats. To accommodate customers arriving by bicycle, Oliver reached out to the local high school's agricultural mechanics program, which built a custom bicycle rack for the new business.

Why it matters

This project highlights the valuable partnership between local businesses and schools, where students can gain real-world experience by working on community-based projects. It also demonstrates how small businesses can creatively solve logistical challenges by tapping into local resources and talent.

The details

Oliver knew her location on Sycamore Street would be popular with pedestrians and those arriving by golf cart or bicycle, so she wanted to install a bicycle rack next to the outdoor patio and play area. She reached out to Social Circle High School's agricultural mechanics teacher, Ben Brand, who assigned the project to student Adrien Baynes as a supervised agricultural experience. Baynes took measurements, selected materials, and assembled the custom bicycle rack for Ida Claire.

  • Ida Claire is set to open within the next three weeks.

The players

Meredith Oliver

The owner of the new Ida Claire ice cream parlor in downtown Social Circle.

Adrien Baynes

A third-year student in Ben Brand's agricultural mechanics classes at Social Circle High School, who built the custom bicycle rack for Ida Claire.

Ben Brand

The agricultural mechanics teacher at Social Circle High School who assigned the bicycle rack project to student Adrien Baynes.

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What they’re saying

“We are making this sweet and quaint store for the town to enjoy. As part of that, we will wanted to give people a place to sit and enjoy ice cream outside.”

— Meredith Oliver, Owner, Ida Claire (monroelocal.org)

“We enjoy building things in the community. We're always looking for projects for kids to build things like this in class.”

— Ben Brand, Agricultural Mechanics Teacher, Social Circle High School (monroelocal.org)

“It was a good experience. It went pretty smoothly.”

— Adrien Baynes, Student, Social Circle High School (monroelocal.org)

What’s next

Ida Claire is set to open within the next three weeks, as Oliver makes the finishing touches on the building.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates the valuable partnership between local businesses and schools, where students can gain real-world experience by working on community-based projects. It also shows how small businesses can creatively solve logistical challenges by tapping into local resources and talent.