Boulevard Bikes - Plans to Move From Current Location

Unfortunately, the building will be repurposed to make space for a lobby with an elevator. 

It’s the end of an era. After some 14 years of serving transportation cyclists at its Logan Square location, Boulevard Bikes, 2535 North Kedzie, is planning a move to greener pastures.

Boulevard was opened in 2003 by veteran bike mechanic Kevin Womac, with a focus selling city bikes for practical transportation needs, plus touring and fixed-gear cycles, as well as commuting accessories. As the neighborhood has steadily gentrified over the years, Boulevard has been a constant, serving customers from various walks of life. (Disclosure: I worked at the shop for a few years, and it’s a Streetsblog Chicago ad sponsor.)

However, Womac says the store will likely be displaced this year due to plans for a new elevator at its building, which also houses the Logan Square Auditorium on the second floor, as well as businesses like Lula Café,  Johnny’s Grill, and Mezcaleria Las Flores. According to Womac, landlord Saul Osacky wants to install the lift to make it easier for people with disabilities and seniors to access special events at the historic ballroom, and to facilitate the load-in of band and DJ equipment for concerts.

“There’s no ill will – Saul’s just being practical,” Womac says. “He can make in a night of alcohol sales [at the auditorium] what he charges me for a month of rent.”

Womac says the writing has been on the wall for about a year, when he asked Osacky about signing a new three-year lease, which he needed to apply for a small business improvement grant to make upgrades to the store. “Saul mentioned that he was planning to build the elevator behind the store,” Womac says. “Rather than have ladies walk through the alley, he’s going to turn [the bike shop] into a lobby.”

Full Story: http://chi.streetsblog.org/2017/04/06/boulevard-bikes-logan-squares...