Stocked with donated and recycled bicycles and parts, Blackstone Bicycle Works teaches neighborhood youths to repair and customize bikes. A summer and after-school program, BBW gives young people an opportunity to work with each other and with adults while learning job readiness skills, small business operations, and how to communicate constructively. The bike shop also sells used bikes and parts, and provides repair services.

For more information on shop services, special events, and BBW's "Earn-a-Bike" program, visit Blackstone Bicycle Works's web site at www.blackstonebike.com.

Fire at 6100 South Blackstone

On Wednesday morning, April 25, 2001 there was a fire in the building that houses Blackstone Bicycle Works. No one was hurt, but the building suffered considerable damage.

Blackstone Bicycle Works will be operating a temporary shop from a semi-trailer outside of the damaged building at 6100 South Blackstone, beginning in early May. Any immediate monetary donations would help to defray the cost of trailer rental, and may be sent to the Resource Center, 222 East 135th Place, Chicago, Illinois, 60627. Donations are tax-deductible. Resource Center extends its warm appreciation to those who have already offered their support, monetary and otherwise.

Visit www.blackstonebike.com for the most recent information on shop operations and recovery from the fire.

Note to the Friends of Blackstone Bike Works,

We'd like to let all interested parties know that we are now going strong in our new location at 61st and Kenwood, just one block West of our building. Our assemblage of semi trailers is located in a temporary (through November) home in a parking lot graciously donated to us by the University of Chicago.

Our hours of operation are:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 11-5:30 pm
Saturday 11-4 pm

See map: www.blackstonebike.com/apostfire/mapKenwoodweb.jpg

Currently, we are fixing bikes as fast as we get them in order to prepare for a big fall sale when the students return to our neighborhood. We have enough storage and people power to say: Please Donate Your Unneeded or Unused (and in fixable condition) Bikes Now! Your bikes are needed now more than ever and we will think kind thoughts about you if you turn them over to us. As we are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, donations to Blackstone Bicycle Works are tax-deductible.

On another note, we are now planning a fundraiser to be held in October. Plans include bands, food, drink and much fun and good will. If you can help in any of these areas or with something we may not have considered, please call or email!

Finally, the status of our currently burned building is looking up. The city has granted a permit to begin the demolition of the interior of the building, and the great rebuilding will begin as soon as that is finished. That project will most likely begin towards the end of September, and we're optimistically planning to be in our new and improved home by mid-spring. In the meantime, we'd like to express our gratitude to everyone who has helped us with money, bikes, tools, ideas, and patience over the past few months. We've come a long way thanks to you, and hope that you'll bear with us on the long road we still have ahead of us.

Please call 773-914-2453 if you have questions or comments or to arrange donation drop-offs or pick-ups.
Andrew Gregg
Blackstone Bicycle Works
6100 S. Blackstone Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
773-914-2453 cell
773-241-5458
andrew@blackstonebike.com
www.blackstonebike.com