Doorperson of the Month: Kym Bowers, The Chicagoan, 750 N. Rush St.

It’s been a fantastic few years for Kym Bowers at The Chicagoan. Kym is overjoyed about her nomination and enthusiastically shares with passersby residents that she is the October Doorperson of the Month. Both the staff and residents alike are nothing short of thrilled.

“I absolutely love my residents. We have folks that have lived here for 20 years, Northwestern employees and students, and just about everything in between. It’s my business to greet everyone personally.”

The Chicagoan opened in 1990 and sits on the popular corner of Rush Street and Chicago Avenue in the River North neighborhood. It’s nestled among hotels, restaurants, nightlife and shopping near the Magnificent Mile.

One of her favorite coworkers, Blu, has the night off. “When we work together, we rock like dynamite!” She pauses to sign for a package for a resident who’s not home, and carefully tucks it away for safekeeping when the resident returns. “We share the lobby with a busy parking garage. Local businesses validate parking, so that makes our lobby extra busy.” The revolving door gets no break.

Kym hails from the hospitality industry. A big part of her job is to constantly monitor the building’s cameras. She pauses to make a reservation for one of the residents to use a grilling area. In addition to hospitality, Kym has studied criminal justice, cosmetology and physical therapy.

Kym suffers from multiple sclerosis, but you wouldn’t know it, especially with her sunny attitude. “As long as I am on the proper medications and get a good night’s sleep, I’m okay. And I just graduated from the need to use a cane.”

Kym comes from a large family, born and bred in Chicago. She proudly flashes a picture of her beaming alongside her two sons and daughter. Kym has nine grandchildren. In her spare time, she can be found with the family and is an avid reader. 

Kym seemingly knows every resident who walks through the lobby. One resident pops by just to ask Kym about her choice of outfits for the evening. Kym laughs, “Sometimes I even function as a therapist for folks.” Her folks are lucky to have her watching over them.

To nominate your favorite doorperson, e-mail info@chicagostarmedia.com with their name and why they should be doorperson of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.