Kiddles Sports is a family-owned sporting goods store in the Historic Market Square in Lake Forest, Illinois. Established in 1968 by Ron, Millie and Jay Shlifka, the shop serves the Chicagoland area. We provide personal, customized and knowledgeable service to all of our customers. Top notch customer service is what defines your shopping experience at Kiddles Sports. Whether you need a pair of running shoes or you are designing team uniforms, we are able to help you every step of the way. Our expertise covers all major sports from baseball to volleyball, to niche sports such as lacrosse, field hockey, and wrestling.

Kiddles Sports provides teams with custom designed uniforms and apparel. We also offer screen-printing and embroidery services for your custom athletic team needs.

Kiddles Sports is also home to a full-service bicycle shop. Our skilled bike mechanics understand how to tune and adjust all types of bikes, from juvenile to adult and mountain to road. With nearly 40 years of experience and knowledge in the bicycle industry, our head mechanic is able to remedy any bicycle problem. Whether you own a mountain bike, BMX, or road bike, we can tune, repair, and get almost any part you need to get you back on the road or trail safely.

We strive to make your experience with us a memorable one. Whatever your sporting good needs may be, our sales team can provide you all the answers you need to make sure you are at the top of your game.

Ron Shlifka

Starting in the grocery business with my father-in-law nearly 60 years ago, I learned the importance of customer service. The thought of starting my own business and my love of bicycling led to me to purchasing Kiddles Sports in 1968. Timing for such a business was impeccable as healthy living became an important choice for America. I was fortunate to see growth of an unprecedented stature due to brands like Adidas, Nike, Rollerblade and Trek growing in lockstep with our business. I am proud to have been in on the ground floor to see my store filled with health-minded products sold to our esteemed clientele by my dedicated son and grandsons. This has been quite a dream come true.

Jay Shlifka

In 1968 my father bought a retail hardware/Schwinn & Raleigh store (you may not realize that in those years bicycles were considered and sold through hardware stores). The early 1970s brought about a sea-change in thinking about cycling, sports and health all becoming intrinsically connected. My lifestyle of cycling long distances, running and training for marathons and basically living a healthy lifestyle translated to the new emphasis we placed in our stores' personality. Today we have a totally dedicated mindset revolving around health, activity and long life … all brought together by honoring close to forty years of experience. My full family, I am proud to announce, believes whole heartedly in this lifestyle and we all can be found sharing these thoughts with you every day at Kiddles Sports.

Lee Shlifka

I am so proud to be the third generation working beside my grandfather and father at Kiddles Sports. Growing up I have always admired the hard work and friendship my family has put forth to our customers, coaches and community. I am so honored to be carrying on their ideals and I could not imagine a more fitting career for myself. I have been playing basketball and volleyball competitively my whole life, but my sporting goods knowledge extends way beyond. Besides playing all types of sports, I find nothing more enjoyable than discussing Chicago sports teams with customers and co-workers. In my free time I play a weekly basketball game with friends and enjoy running and bicycling throughout the Chicagoland area.

Aric Shlifka

Continuing the tradition my grandfather and father started in 1968, I became the third generation to join the store. Growing up with Kiddles Sports I enjoyed playing nearly every sport. Day in and day out I enjoy the camaraderie of a family business and the devotion of our clientele (retail customers, athletic leagues and recreation departments). When not working at the store, I can be found skating along the Chicago lakefront or finding a pickup basketball game at the gym.

 

Howard Zolt

Growing up I played baseball and I still have a love for the game. My knowledge of the sport goes beyond the products we carry, as I love talking with customers about the Chicago Cubs throughout the season. I do enjoy watching all sports, but being a Chicago Blackhawks and Bears ticket holder for many years those are two teams I like to keep my eyes on. I have worked at Kiddles Sports for over 30 years so my loyalty to the store and our customers stems from the excitement I see day in and day out from familiar faces I see stopping in just to say hello as well as working alongside my co-workers.

Dirk "The Bike Guy" Ingram

I grew up in Iowa and participated in Ragbri V, VI and VII (Yeah, I'm that old!) If it has pedals and wheels, I have passion for it. During my thirteen years as a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Therapist, I logged many miles in the saddle and managed to collect nearly 70 bikes! After contributing to the Bank of Good Karma, I entered the bike industry at Waterford Cycles, managed a running shop and now work as the Kiddles Sports “Bike Guy.”

 

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