Shop Southland’s First-Ever ‘Romantasy Readers Ride’
Shop Southland is taking a bold (and romantic) step to showcase the region’s small businesses on Friday, October 24 with its first-ever Romantasy Readers Ride. It is a free, one-night-only indoor cycling event built around strength, imagination, and community.
The 45-minute spin class at Heights Cycle in Palos Heights will feature a choreographed ride set to a curated soundtrack inspired by popular romantasy novels, including those by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. The experience is designed to help riders tap into “main character energy,” blending physical intensity with a story-driven atmosphere.
“This event is all about imagination meeting movement,” said Megan Wenstrup, owner of Heights Cycle. “It’s a chance to celebrate fitness, creativity, and community in one place, and we’re thrilled to be doing it alongside other local businesses that share that same spirit.”
The event is part of the Southland Development Authority’s (SDA) Shop Southland initiative, led by Jamie Makuch of the SDA’s Business Growth Services team. “For the first time, we’re doing a Shop Southland event per se,” Makuch said. “We have a business in Palos Heights that is a spin studio and they do theme rides several times a month. So they’re doing a romance ride.”
Joining Heights Cycle are three other Southland businesses participating in the event:
• Love’s Sweet Arrow (Tinley Park), a romance-themed bookstore and Shop Southland client
• Marvelous Light Candle Company (Orland Park), a Shop Southland client known for its handcrafted candle-making parties
• Gaston’s Bistro (Orland Park), a Southland restaurant providing free post-ride desserts
Each business will host a table during the event, offering raffles, themed prizes, and a cozy post-ride atmosphere that feels more like a celebration than a workout. Giveaways include cycling packs, romance book bundles, and custom candles. Riders will toast the night with champagne or a non-alcoholic drink, surrounded by flickering candlelight and romantic reads.
“It’s a free community event where you can come and ride, spin on a bike, and kind of feel the love… literally,” Makuch said with a laugh. She added the studio has space for “three or four groups of 25 bikes,” and interest has already begun to build.
The idea for the event grew out of a shared appreciation among local entrepreneurs for experiences that connect people beyond the day-to-day. It’s a blend of escapism and empowerment. It’s where reading meets resistance training and fitness meets fiction.
The Romantasy Readers Ride is the latest in a string of creative campaigns Makuch has led to bring visibility to the Southland’s small business community, this time by fusing local goods, literary imagination, and a little heart-pumping cardio.
The event begins at 6:15 p.m.
About Shop Southland
Shop Southland is a targeted marketing initiative of the Southland Development Authority, designed to elevate the visibility and impact of small businesses across the region. The program provides expert support through tailored marketing strategies, influencer partnerships, and targeted social media advertising. It’s made to help businesses boost engagement, reach new audiences, and strengthen their presence within the local community.
About the Southland Development Authority
The Southland Development Authority, a not-for-profit economic development organization, is committed to driving equitable and sustainable economic growth in the south suburbs of Chicago. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and impactful direct investments, the SDA is building a vibrant, inclusive economy that drives wealth growth for individuals, businesses and municipalities. Combined with the benefits of the South Suburban Land Bank and the Monarch Fund, the SDA serves as a model for regional development.
