How it all started for Sam…

It all started when…

Hi there! I am Sam Mack and I have been a resident of Evanston for nearly all of my life. I was born in February of 1988 to my parents, Kathy and Richard, who also share the privilege of being Evanstonians all their lives too. I grew up on the 2300 block of Hartzell.  I attended Covenant Nursery School, Kingsley, Haven, and finally ETHS (go Wildkits!). Following that, I earned my bachelors degree in marketing from Columbia College Chicago. While attending school at Columbia, I met my wife, Kelly. In 2012, Kelly and I purchased our first home in northwest Evanston, married the following summer, and have lived here since. In August of 2019, we welcomed our first born, Leo Mack. He is simply the best thing in the world.

Rewind a little, back to when I was 13 years old. I would spend my time after school and during the summer mowing neighbors' lawns in order to build the perfect bike for myself. At that time, I’d only visit Evanston Schwinn Cyclery on Central & Ewing to get my parts. There I met the owner, Jim. Jim took note of how often I would come in buying random parts and asked me to come in after school and sweep floors. That is how I started in the bicycle industry.

Since then, I have been part of the bicycle industry working in all scopes from bike washer to mechanic/salesman and part-owner of another shop. However, as time has moved forward, something inside of me had always been calling me back to Evanston.

On March 13, 2020 Kelly and I opened the doors to our first location of Mack’s Bike and Goods on Ewing Ave., in Evanston. At the exact same time, the world began to change in ways all of us would never image as the COVID-19 Pandemic began to unfold. However, this did not deter us and the community stuck with the shop in ways we will forever be grateful for. Our first three years at the shop were memories we will cherish forever. On May 27, 2023 another adventure began when moved Mack’s a block down the road to Central Street to continue the adventure in our forever space at 2948 Central Street.

On May 31, 2023 Mack’s Bike and Goods reopened its doors at 2948 Central Street (entrance off of the alley). We continue to share a passion for our Evanston community and are excited to bring quality bicycles, service, and unique goods to our neighborhood we love and cherish.