EP's Park Schwinn Rolling Into Tomorrow With Cycling Experience Rooted in Yesterday

The late Robin Williams used to say that riding his bike was “the closest you could get to flying.”

Bicycle fanatics identify with that sense of thrill, as does John DeBold, owner of Park Schwinn in Evergreen Park, a riding enthusiast himself whose shop is located at 3333 West 95th Street in Evergreen Park.

However, staying “grounded” has been the success formula for Park Schwinn, a bike shop around since the 1950s and now solely owned and operated by a man who insists on servicing, selling, repairing and even test riding the product.

DeBold appreciates that internationally recognized figures such as Williams, Russell Crowe and Bono are lending their star power to biking and praising Chicago for its foresight in bike lane commitment and the new Divvy bike sharing program with an international flare of its own.

“Bono used to ride from his downtown hotel to Wrigley Field and hang out with the guys on Waveland Avenue who would flag down balls hit out during batting practice,” said DeBold. “And Russell Crowe said Chicago is one of his favorite cities in the world to ride.”

In an industry in which sales can go flat for years at a time, the old adage - Service Is King – still saves the day and a lifelong profession for someone like DeBold. Big box retailers didn’t do independent bike stores any favors when they flooded the market with inferior products that looked good under a tree but would be useless by summer.

“If they brought them in, of course, we would fix them but we’d have to draw the line with parents when they weren’t safe anymore,” said DeBold.

Some stores during that period had a turn-away policy, which may or may not be a peak into why bike shops have dwindled down to 5,000 nationally from a high-water mark of 8,000 shops just 30 years ago.

There’s little argument that eh bicycle remains one of the least-expensive transportation choices and is a suitable vehicle for fitness and fun for most all. The positives will always outweigh the negatives and its use leads to a healthier environment.

PARK SCHWINN SURVIVES/THRIVES

For years, servicing and repairing the rock solid Schwinn bikes bridged Park Schwinn through lean financial challenges and served as an investment in a loyal following of patrons.

“We all take our bikes to Park Schwinn,” said one bike patrol police officer. “We can get free maintenance downtown but everyone knows John is the best and our bikes have to be safe everyday.”

Getting one’s very first brand new bike can be an uplifting experience and instill a sense of loyalty to the store because of the indelible impression.

Grace Kuikman vividly recalls she and her twin brother visiting Park Schwinn when it was a few doors west of its current location.

“We grew up in Evergreen Park with parents who lived by the motto that you should always shop where you live,” said Grace Kuikman. “When my twin brother John and I were ready to graduate from training wheels to big kid bikes -- probably about age 7 or 8 -- Dad brought us over to Park Schwinn on 95th Street.

“Not only was the shop filled with shiny brand new bikes and bike accessories, getting big kid bikes was a big deal for us.”

Like it was yesterday, she remembers:

“Johnny picked out an electric blue three speed -- very streamlined and sporty. I picked out a pink and white girl’s bike, and added pink and white streamers.”

Kuikman recalls two more things about the bikes: The “freedom” the bike gave the kids to get around Evergreen Park and “because they were Schwinns they were passed down to younger cousins who loved them as much as we did.”

This past Christmas, 5-year old Rubie Hall got her first bike as a first-place contest finisher. She guessed exactly “10,000 kernels” were packed in the glass jar at Mother Butter’s Popcorn & Confectionary in Evergreen Park. The cooperative effort between Christmas Without Cancer, Mother Butter’s, the Evergreen Park United Homeowners Association and Park Schwinn is a tradition in the making.

DeBold “tricked out” the bike for Rubie and watched another happy customer ride away (with training wheels).

With the First Communion and graduation dates looming, DeBold is preparing for another seasonal sales spike.

“Some parents treat it like a right of passage to get your first brand new bike,” said DeBold. “And some kids get all those checks and big bills in hand and realize they can buy their first new bike. And, of course, nothing beats seeing a shiny new bike under the Christmas tree.”

Space is the greatest commodity in the Park Schwinn shop, leaving little room for frilly displays, but, rather a focus on how many bikes can be displayed on the showroom floor and how many accessories fit on the walls and shelving.

Trending lately has been the adult trikes, one-speed three-wheelers in which comfort comes first with a padded spring cruiser saddle, upright handlebars and folding rear baskets ideal for storing groceries or other short-trip pickups. The price will not knock you off your bike – a $300 range depending upon extras.

“We’re in a community where it’s easy to get around by bike and our customers come in all ages and fitness levels so these bike are a natural for active seniors and the younger set, too,” said DeBold, “and at the end of the day you’ve spent nothing on gas and gotten fresh air and exercise.”

All-climate riding has captured the fantasy of the next generation of commuters who don’t want the burden of a car or car payments. These rugged powerful aluminum bikes gobble up any terrain, from the pot-holed city streets to the county forest preserve trails that keep improving and expanding.

Dominating the sales results is still the family bike experience in large part because of the tight-knit family community that is Evergreen Park and those communities in the surrounding area.

“People are back to the simple enjoyment of riding the bike, so we’re selling more of the cruisers to parents and the complementary kids’ bikes that enhance the family experience,” said DeBold.

Surprisingly, DeBold enjoys camaraderie with bike storeowners in the surrounding areas, particularly with the owners of Beverly Bike and Ski at 9121 South Western in Chicago’s north Beverly neighborhood. Their shop opened in 1921.

“If they don’t have a part or I need a part we swap out all the time,” said DeBold. “I might have more Schwinn products than they carry in stock for repairs. We independent stores are all in this together for the customer.”

Park Schwinn has been around since the mid 1950s and was known as “Ziggy’s” store for a time but it moved to its current location in 1973 and DeBold took full ownership in 1994.

The shop specializes in the following brands: Raleigh, Schwinn, Diamondback, and Orbea; and the popular new adult bicycles, including Miami Sun and adult trikes, as well as GT, Free Agent, Mongoose and Diamondback BMX bikes.

Park Schwinn Hours are 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday; Closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Phone number is: 708/422-6738.