'We Are Here!' Turin Bikes Open for Business

The paper is gone from the windows of Turin Bicycles just as the last bits of snow melts off the ground. Local bikers can rejoice, because Ravenswood’s new independent bike store at 4710 N. Damen Ave. is ready for customers.

“We are here,” owner Lee Katz said. “We’re ready for people to come in and see what we have in store.”

Katz chose Ravenswood for the Turin’s return to Chicago and looks to make the shop into a destination location for all types of cyclists.

The shop takes a “big tent” approach to biking, sales manager Chris Oloroso said, carrying everything from recreational to racing and kids’ bikes.

Along with local and international bike brands, the store will sell its own products, designed by Katz. Those include apparel like clothing, lights and bags for the day rider or professional usually only sold online. 

But store will be more than retail, Oloroso said. A fitting studio is located in the back of the store and bike repairs will also be done in-house.

In the summer, Oloroso hopes to start bike safety and cleaning classes. 

While the inventory and parts are available, the staff is still putting on the finishing touches to the display and décor. Katz hopes the shop will be fully ready by mid-April for the grand opening celebration. 

On that day—to be announced—Turin will have Black Dog Gelato, biking celebrities and an exhibit of artisan bikes at the store.

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Turin has a long history in the Chicagoland area, starting in Old Town in the 1960s

Katz joined the company when he was 19 years old while studying architecture at the now-University of Illinois at Chicago. As the head of customer service, the business flourished, and opened locations in Evanston and Denver in 1971.

The Denver location is still in the city and sells most of the major biking brands. Katz left the shop in Evanston, which is now a Wheel and Sprocket bike store.

"I really wanted a bike shop in the city and build a place where if you love bikes, you can just hang out,” Katz said. “And I wanted a place to sell what we make.”

He started thinking of returning to the city about two years ago and gathered his  “dream team” of bike experts. Oloroso, along with a repair specialist Jon Londres and operations manager Nate Kersten will be the front-runners at the shop.

The three have more than 40 combined years of biking experience ranging from BMX to messenger biking.

With the rich history of the independent bike store and a knowledgeable staff, Katz wants the store to turn into a destination for bike enthusiasts.

“When bike guys come to Chicago, I want them to come to Turin,” he said. “The Evanston store used to draw customers from a six to seven state area and even a small amount of internationals.”

Katz settled on Ravenswood after riding around the city in the summer of 2012. The neighborhood's feel, bike lanes and local bars reminded the owner of Old Town in the 1960s. 

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Bike Ravenswood: New Store to Hit Damen Avenue