Welcome Son and Sons! - Part 2

Nick Skyles has arrived at our offices - here he is hobnobbing with and getting a loving welcome from our cuddly pets. So far we know that he rides Jasper the Vespa as his main mode of transportation, has a biting rubbish receptacle called Oliver and an imaginary dog called Beckham who can do all the tricks you can ever imagine. Say hi and leave a comment to welcome him to our crew!

Welcome Son and Sons!

Who's cooler than a cucumber, hotter than Uggs and the latest additions to the Gagen family? It's Son and Sons - the dynamic design trio consisting of Wade Thompson, Jeff Jarvis and Nick Syles. We are indeed lucky to have Nick on site in Chicago, but never fear, Wade and Jeff are just a call away. Here they are on their Brooklyn rooftop.

Out of the Blue

If you don't look closely enough, you might just miss her - she was in camouflage all day. Guess who?

Parking That Won't Bust Your Wallet

There's a great lot just a block and a half away from the office off Wabash Ave on the east side of the street. If you arrive before 10 a.m., it's just $12 for the day. Sweet savings! Redirect the money toward some exploration of food spots, or crew, runs and ride donations in support of our colleagues.

Spring is Here!

It's almost 60 degrees in downtown Chicago, but the way you know Spring has really arrived is not the temperature - it's when the tour boats return from their long winter hibernation to their summer nesting grounds on the Chicago River. That happened today - as you can see from this shot from our office windows just a little while ago.

St Paddy's Day

One of the great things about our new gig is we get to walk to work - at least from the Blue Line stop at Clark and Lake. This morning was perfect - crisp and clear. With the temps heading to 70 tomorrow it's nice to enjoy the early spring for a few days before the snow comes again on the weekend.

We discovered a new piece of Chicago trivia this afternoon - thanks to a terrific client. The best icecream in the heart of SouthSide Chicago Irish neighborhood (92nd and Western) is also available right here at State and Lake - at the Halsted Street Deli to be exact. And here's Dewon packing us two quarts of the famous five flavor Rainbow Cone for our afternoon celebration of the auspicious day.

Welcome Helen!

This morning we welcomed the newest member of our Gagen family - Helen Paczkowski.

She'd heard about the fabulous food at Gagen, so we kicked off her first day with a wholesome breakfast. We learned that she is attempting her first triathlon in the Gulf (of Mexico) off of St Petersburg, FL next month. She also lives in one of the hottest Chicago neighborhoods - Southport.


And in case you were wondering, here's how you say her last name:

Copy by Helen. Illustration by Lauren Kostas.

Leave Helen a warm welcome by leaving a comment below, and stop by to say hi next time you're in the office.

More favorite things

Jennifer says, "..how lively the neighborhood is, you actually see people where ever you turn. It also has a different vibe than the old place, more outgoing and full of life."

Rich says, "On the record… my commute is shorter to the point where I’ll be able to walk to and from work when the weather is nice. Off the record.." -- you'll just have to ask him!

These are a few of my favorite things

There's a lot that's fun about our new digs - not least of which is its prime location, near the Theatre District and just two blocks to State Street shopping.

Brenda's favorite thing is a better view and a commute time that's 45 minutes less!
What are your favorites?

Cheese & Wine Events to Bust Those Winter Blues!

FRENCH MARKET: Thursday Evening Commuter Wine Tastings in March!
We'd love for our new resident and commuter neighbors to our French Market location to get better acquainted with our thoughtful, luscious selection of small production wines and what better way to do that then to do some wine tastings that show them off? These FREE Tastings Will be Thursdays from 4:30 til 6:30 in March as follows--take some home with you! Better yet, bring an extra bottle for your commuter buddies and be even more popular!


THURS 3/11- "Voluptuous Winter Whites"- featuring selections from Glunz

House pets

Along with all of our papers, books, files, stationery, machinery and furniture, came the Gagen menagerie. Two have found a new home - not quite birds of a feather, but here they flock together!

Hidden camera

Did you know that there are hidden cameras recording EVERYTHING in the elevators of our new building?

Did someone forget to tell KDub?

The Best Security System

Got my security key fob today - isn't that sweet. No fuss, no wait, and the fob is not obtrusive - love it!

In a corner not so far away

Who do we see first when we walk into our office? Erin - our intrepid office manager, reception goddess, catering maven [insert title of your choice]. With our new large space, Erin's out of sight for most of the day, but hopefully not out of mind!

How the lunch room came to be

A photo evolution of our new lunch room courtesy of John Bock.

Day One on Wacker Drive

Walked into our new office this morning by way of Metra - Washington St - State - Wacker Drive. It took 16 minutes, and 3 minutes up the elevator. Was greeted by a cheery Erin and gorgeous light. Chicago skies may be gray at the moment, but the bright blue walls and happy balloons lit up my morning! Shout out to the business team for moving us in over the weekend.

My favorite discoveries:
1. We get email notices when people leave voicemails on our desk phones.
2. I'm neighbors with Adrianne, Peter and Barbara.
3. It takes 2 people to pull our trash bins apart. Thanks Jenny and Chris for separating the ones on the west end of the office.
4. The foodcourt of death - as baptized by Martha - at 233 N Michigan Ave. Most of the crew have headed there for lunch. I'm stopping by on my way to my 3 p.m. meeting!

Let us know your fave new discoveries - places to eat, short cuts to the train, best barista at the Starbucks downstairs, etc.