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Logan Square Preservation Meetup: Nov. 10 at Right Bee Cider/Former Schwinn Factory
LOGAN SQUARE PRESERVATION HOSTS MEETUP AT FORMER SCHWINN FACTORY
Schwinn nostalgia and Right Bee Cider’s upcycling of a historic space on tap
Local cyclists — especially those with a fondness for hard cider and vintage Schwinns — might want to saddle up: There’s still enough fall weather for one more ride and one more tangy tankard — both of which will be highlighted at the next Logan Square Preservation event.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, a Logan Square Preservation public meetup will be held at Right Bee Cider, 1830 N. Kostner Ave., to showcase the successful reuse of a historic Chicago property that was abandoned for more than 20 years. In 2014, husband-and-wife team Charlie Davis and Katie Morgan opened Right Bee Cider — the first cidery to open in Chicago since Prohibition — in a portion of the building, complete with beehives on the roof.
Those who register for the free event can view historic photos of the old factory interior, see vintage Schwinn bikes from Working Bikes, and hear a little Schwinn history from Judy Crown, author of No Hands: The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, an American Institution. There will also be a behind-the-scenes peek at the Right Bee Cider brew room, and the owners will share details about the conversion. Space is limited, so attendees must register for a timed entry via EventBrite.
Schwinn was once one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the United States, employing more than 1,000 line workers. The Kostner building served as the Schwinn offices and assembly plant from 1901–1982. When Right Bee Cider moved in, the owners found an old staff list still hanging on the wall with dozens of names, including some from the Schwinn family. Now, it is the only building that remains from Schwinn’s heyday, when bikes such as the Jaguar, Hornet, Black Phantom and banana-seat Sting Ray were flying off the assembly line.
Fresh hard cider will be available in the tap room (added in 2019), and registered guests can enjoy free snacks from neighboring Venezuelan restaurant Rica Arepa. There are three bike racks outside; attendees with vintage Schwinns are encouraged to show them off. And anyone who signs up for a Logan Square Preservation membership during the event will receive a free specialty cider.
Logan Square Preservation works to beautify and inform the neighborhood and hosts meetups seasonally at historic and adaptive reuse venues. The nonprofit community group is committed to promoting the area’s diverse, unique and historic character. For more information, visit logansquarepreservation.org.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2730938-0
