In the face of concerns over parking and a lack of retail businesses in a downtown Winnetka development, national fitness brand Solidcore on Tuesday cleared its first hurdle toward opening in One Winnetka.
A 5-1 majority of the Winnetka Village Council, with Trustee Kim Handler in dissent, directed staff and legal counsel to draft final documents for Solidcore. A final vote will likely happen at the council’s next meeting on Thursday, March 19.
Included in the direction to staff are two conditions aimed at alleviating parking concerns:
• Between high-traffic hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Solidcore will schedule its classes 15 minutes apart, and
• Solidcore’s staff will encourage its members to park in the One Winnetka parking lot if spaces are available.
If approved, Solidcore will fill an approximately 2,300-square-foot space at 736 Elm St., which is a portion of the nearly 21,000 square feet of commercial space included in the One Winnetka development.
As previously reported by The Record, the discussions surrounding Solidcore were continued from the Village Council’s meeting on Feb. 17, when trustees raised a number of issues with the proposal.
During the Feb. 17 discussions, trustees took issue with the fact that all of the businesses for One Winnetka, to date, were not retail based.
The other spaces, also according to previous Record reporting, are leased by: the Winnetka Aesthetic Studio medical office; a Charles Schwab financial services office; Ballyhoo Hospitality’s new Mediterranean restaurant, Arkadia; and another dining concept, the fast-casual restaurant Fare.
At Tuesday’s meeting, representatives from Murphy Development Group, One Winnetka’s developer, and Solidcore shared a presentation that showed most visitors spend between 60-74 minutes at Solidcore, and that the studio’s peak hours are from 5-8 a.m. and 4-8 p.m., which Solidcore’s representatives said would not interfere with parking for other businesses.
Regarding the lack of retail, Deirdre Clein, with Murphy Development Group, explained that Murphy sought out multiple retail businesses for potential occupancy in One Winnetka. A slide in Murphy’s presentation showed multiple retailers that, according to Clein, were “serious potential tenants.”
Among those listed were Jenni Kayne and SPACE 519, both of which have locations in Wilmette’s Plaza del Lago.
Clein cited a 2024 study from real estate company JLL that found that service businesses now lease more commercial space than retail and other goods-based businesses.
“(That’s) not to say that retail can’t still exist,” Clein said. “But our projects and our tenants are really a reflection of the national trends as well.”
While the trustees said they believe Solidcore would be a great addition to Winnetka, many of them also shared multiple concerns surrounding both parking and the lack of retail businesses.
Handler cited the most recent Winnetka Caucus Survey, which found that 503 of 1,000 respondents want to see more independent restaurants and wine bars, while only 114 said they want to see more fitness studios.
She asked if Clein had seen the survey results, to which she responded that she hadn’t. But she said that a smaller restaurant or retailer could still come in.
“We’re not ruling out an independent retailer,” Clein said.
Handler also shared concerns about parking. She noted that most of Solidcore’s existing locations are in downtown Chicago.
“Those are walk-to locations, whereas this is very different here,” she said.
Trustee Scott Myers said his biggest concern was that part of the conversations surrounding One Winnetka’s approval included a retail component, which has not happened.
“I’m really torn because we have a great business in Solidcore. It would be a great tenant,” he said, adding, “But I’m really concerned that we’re giving up (on retail) here.”
Trustee Rob Apatoff, participating virtually, shared similar comments.
“Yes, (retail is) changing, but I don’t buy that they could not find one retail use in this market,” he said, later adding, “I have trouble approving special use after special use in this without any retail.”
Not all trustees expressed concerns, with Trustee Tina Dalman offering full support of Solidcore.
“I think that’s a fantastic anchor for the retail space,” she said. “I’m excited about it. I fully believe in it.”
Trustee Kirk Albinson also voiced support for Solidcore’s special use request, saying he is not concerned about retail versus commercial uses. He noted that users of Solidcore will likely visit neighboring businesses after they’re done with classes.
“Whether we’re selling a product or a service is less important to me, but what is important to me is how does this impact or improve our downtown?” he said. “And I think this type of business … is a win-win, and I don’t think we should overlook that.”
The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.
Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.
Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.
