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The Chesterton Art Center is seizing an opportunity to expand its operations by acquiring the former bicycle shop property, located across the street on South 4th Street.

Tony Evans, the owner of the Chesterton Bicycle Station, wanted to retire after 42 years in business, so he approached his neighbor earlier this year about their potential interest. Evans closed his shop at the end of August.

“It kind of put the wheels in motion,” said Micah Bornstein, marketing director for the Chesterton Art Center.

Bornstein said they were looking for a way to expand their classroom operations because the Art Center had reached capacity at their current two-story building at 115 S. 4th St.

The two parties reached a deal on the building, which has 2,894 square feet of space, according to the Porter County Assessor’s records. The sale price was not disclosed in county records and Hannah Hammond-Hagman, the executive director, also declined to comment on what they paid.

Bornstein said there is enough space to house two classrooms.

The plan is to house the ceramics and printmaking programs in the new building.

The Chesterton Art Center has also started an ArtsConnect class for seniors in the community, so the one-story building fits the bill, Bornstein said.

Next month, the Chesterton Art Center will start a capital campaign to finance the renovation of the building.

“It’s not like it was in bad shape, but it was a bike shop,” Bornstein said.

The goal is to open the converted building sometime early in 2026.

The Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. Fourth St., is part of a new arts and cultural district in Chesterton. (Jim Woods/for Post-Tribune)
The Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. Fourth St., part of a new arts and cultural district in Chesterton, is expanding across the street in an old bicycle shop. (Jim Woods/for Post-Tribune)

Hammond-Hagman said buying the property is a defining moment for the Chesterton Art Center.

“We are moving forward with a transformational expansion of our facility. One that will reshape how we serve artists, students, and the broader public for generations,” Hammond-Hagman said.

Hammond-Hagman was one of the town leaders behind the recent creation of the “Chesterton Trackside Arts and Cultural District.”

The Town Council recently approved a resolution for the arts and cultural district. The district’s boundaries will be Grant Avenue and Indiana Avenue on the north and south sides and will stretch from Calumet Road west to South Fifth Street.

There are 50 cultural assets within the district, which will now include the Chesterton Art Center’s additional space.

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.