Fort Wayne’s first climbing gym already searching for bigger space
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After being open for just three months, Summit City Climbing Co. is already looking at expansion.
The bouldering gym in downtown Fort Wayne offers seven routes and 15-foot-tall walls. New routes are added every other week.
“We want to run programs and we want to run clubs and clinics…[but] we’re just packed all the time,” owner Edwin Chow said in an interview with Inside INdiana Business. “Everyone’s just competing for time on the walls, so because of that, we extended hours. We’re just trying to figure out what’s best and truly, we’ve come to the conclusion that we need another space.”
While studying at Huntington University, Chow noticed that many people, including his friend and co-owner Collin Jester, frequently drove two hours from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis to climb.
“We joked about having a climbing gym here probably since 2018…at the time I was starting my career. I was new [and] he was starting at university,” Chow said. “We were just hopeful that someone would, and eventually…about a year ago, he reached out and was like ‘Hey, we should just do it.'”
Bouldering gyms do not have harnesses, but Chow encourages those who may be nervous to try climbing side to side or starting with a shorter route. Kids are also welcome at the gym. Day passes and memberships are available.
“We do have things and routes for everyone trying to get into it. [We’re] trying to break down the intimidation,” he said. “We have people climbing from all ages, all sizes, all shapes, all ethnicities. It’s a lot of fun.”
In addition to climbing, the space offers yoga classes, weightlifting and events such as college night. All three owners come from a nonprofit background and host monthly donation drives.
“We started this Community Harvest Food Bank drive to collect food for the holidays, and we are the single largest barrel donor in Fort Wayne already,” Chow said. “It’s just been super special building a community where people can feel seen, known and loved.”
Chow has shared the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey on LinkedIn. The business is looking for a new location that’s around 20,000 square feet and in the north part of Fort Wayne.
Chow is currently working on opening another business, The Berry – Real Fruit Ice Cream, in Fort Wayne with his brothers. It’s expected to open in May.