Company Profile
Push Indoor Cycling is a fitness studio located in the Clearing community near Midway Airport. Push offers spin, barre, strength training, and yoga group classes. Owner/operator, Raquel Prendkowski, started the studio because there was nothing like it in her community and she didn’t want spend more time commuting to cycling classes than actually on the bike! Turns out, a lot of her neighbors felt the same way and the business expanded.
SBIF Grant Impact (Archer/Central)
Her main challenge to additional growth was that the exterior of her space did not match the great energy of the business inside it. She knew she needed to make updates, but the construction costs were not in her budget. The SBIF grant provided a way for her to update her exterior and persevere through the challenges of the pandemic.
“It may seem simple that it is only a front facade of a building, but it was a life-light for the success of my business by making it visible to the customers that we needed to stay alive,” said Prendkowski. “This grant literally saved my business. We are now going on 7 years strong, adding new classes, and most importantly, providing a fun, affordable, safe space for people of all fitness levels to feel good and live healthy in our community!”
The scope of work at Push Indoor Cycling included the demolition of the existing façade, construction of a new knee wall on the exterior and interior of the building, installation of limestone sills on the top of the newly installed brick knee wall, installation of new aluminum storefront frames, windows, and a door, plus eligible architectural services and permitting costs.
Push Indoor Cycling is Open for Business!
Push Indoor Cycling continues to operate under appropriate COVID-19 protocols. Visit https://www.pushindoorcycling.com for class details, hours, and events.
Learn More About the Small Business Improvement Fund
Launched in 1999, Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund promotes economic development by providing reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement. Residential projects are not eligible.
SomerCor is the program administrator contracted by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Learn more about the program and apply by visiting www.somercor.com/sbif.