WICKER PARK — Rapha, a London-based maker of cycling apparel, plans to bring a store/hangout spot to Chicago this fall in the form of a Rapha Cycling Club.
"Chicago is a natural place for Rapha's next expansion," Derrick Lewis, Rapha's North American spokesman, said Tuesday. "The region is home to some of great history of American cycling, incredible pro races, and great cycling champions. We hope to honor the city and shine a spotlight on its contribution to the sport."
Started in 2004 with one mission — "to create the finest cycling clothing and accessories in the world" — according to its website, Rapha currently operates 10 cycling clubs, including one each in New York City and San Francisco.
Where the store/hangout will set up its Chicago shingle has yet to be released, though Wicker Park is on the brand's shortlist.
"Wicker Park is the target at this point. We are very excited to be a part of the Chicago cycling community soon. We have made a lot of progress and expect to be open this fall," Lewis said.
Lewis declined to comment on whether the new spot could be at 1514 N. Milwaukee Ave. or 1530-32 N. Milwaukee Ave, both vacant and located along a prime retail strip just south of the Damen, Milwaukee and North avenues hub.
In February, City Soles was evicted from 1514 N. Milwaukee Ave., on the northwest corner of Honore and Milwaukee avenues. That space once served as part of the exterior set for cult movie "High Fidelity" starring Chicago native John Cusack.
An executive with Newcastle Limited, which owns the 3,000-square-foot commercial space at the base of a striking vintage building with farmhouse blue and white turrets, confirmed that there is a new tenant secured, as did brokers from Baum Realty, who assisted with the effort.
Both the Newcastle executive and Baum Realty brokers declined to share the name of the new tenant.
When asked if Rapha could possibly be taking over the Records/Rodan Lounge combo, at 1530-32 N. Milwaukee Ave., a spokesman from that building suggested that the inquiry be redirected a few doors south, to the ex "High Fidelity" spot.
Lewis described Rapha Cycle Clubs as "more than a retail space and more than a cafe" with evening events, as well a community table to encourage conversations.
Lewis said that he has been part of the opening of several club stores.
"Like a golf course needs a clubhouse or ski resort needs a lodge, cycling needs a meeting place for its fans and participants," Lewis said, adding, "road cyclists have traditionally picked a random corner or maybe a cafe with a patio as their meet-up point to start group rides."
The club will also offer indoor bike parking for shoppers, coffee and live professional race coverage playing on the televisions.
Rapha Cycle Club's members group, which has more than 6,000 participants from around the world who regularly meet for group rides, happy hours and weekend riding camps, are encouraged to make the stores their hangout.
Cycling travelers who are members of the club can check out a bike for a spin rather than the hassle of traveling with their own, and local members enjoy access to the store's fleet of high-end bicycles for their out-of-town guests.
Numbers on how many existing Chicago Rapha Cycle Club members were not available, but in other cities each store employs one full-time RCC chapter coordinator to act as a concierge for anywhere between 200-400 RCC members as well as to recruit new folks, Lewis said.
In a story dedicated to the nuances of the Rapha Cycling Clubs, cycling-focused website GranFondo.com suggested it was a somewhat secretive experience and that what happens in a club, stays there.
The fee to join is $200 for a 12-month membership, according to the Rapha website. Perks include free coffee at all cycle clubs, access to rent top-end bicycles, a subscription to Mondial Magazine, exclusive merchandise discounts and entry to events, weekly rides and monthly happy hours with complimentary beer.
Lewis said that there is already a solid group of RCC members in Chicago who are "very excited" to see Rapha arrive as well as business partners and friends that were made last summer when the brand hosted a temporary store and a Rapha Prestige Race outside of the city.
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