Paddle and Trail shop opening in Aurora

Groundbreaking hasn’t yet taken place on downtown Aurora’s RiverEdge Park, but a business already is looking to open nearby to capitalize on the park’s goal of highlighting the Fox River as a recreational asset.

Longtime Fox River advocate and Aurora resident Charlie Zine plans to open Paddle and Trail Aurora, a shop that will operate river tours and sell the gear necessary to canoe, kayak, hike, run or bike along the river.

“RiverEdge Park was a big draw for Paddle and Trail,” Aurora’s Chief Management Officer Carie Anne Ergo said. “They’re excited to be there so when the park’s finished, they’re one of the amenities.”

Paddle and Trail plans to move into a city-owned building at the corner of Spruce and River streets as early as May 1, pending city council approval of a lease agreement.

“There is a sense of urgency because paddling is a warm-weather sport and we don’t want to lose the season,” Zine said.

Ergo said the city is willing to lease the space to Paddle and Trail because the employees currently there — a few workers in motor vehicle parking and downtown services — can easily be relocated.

“It fits in very nicely with the whole theme of what we’ve been trying to do downtown,” Ergo said.

Zine will run the shop with the help of Aurora resident Gary Mechanic, vice president of the Illinois Paddling Council, an umbrella organization of canoeing and kayaking clubs across the state. The two plan to turn their shop just north of the downtown canoe chute into a community center for anyone who uses the river for recreation.

“We really see our business not so much as a standard retail location, but really to support the use of these trails,” Mechanic said. “We know not just the sports but where to go, where to eat, all those peripheral things that it takes decades to know.”

Zine said a biking and outdoor recreation store will fill a void in downtown Aurora retail options.

“I’m excited to bring that back, especially at a time when downtown is really going through some positive changes,” Zine said.

The lease agreement between the store and the city first will be considered at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting and could be up for city council approval as soon as April 26.

The store plans to be open for business and tours this summer, Zine said.

“We don’t see any red lights or bumps on the way,” Mechanic said.