Lonnie Bishop has been a doorperson at 400 E. Ohio St. for 30 years. He’s six-foot seven with a booming baritone voice. He proudly states that he has been labeled “the neighborhood hero.”
“I can give people a personal touch, but due to my size, I help keep those who are not supposed to be here away,” he said. “Situations that have happened over the years... well, my size is a deterrent.”
The most poignant example being when a resident entered the lobby and told him she had been pushed down by someone in front of a grocery store. “I confronted the man. He ran off and I started running after him,” Bishop said.
He and a security guard from a nearby bank pursued the suspect, with success, and Bishop did his (infamous) whistle to hail nearby Chicago Police who handled the situation from there.
Bishop’s memory of Chicago sites goes back to his youth. “My Dad used to take me to Navy Pier when there was still a Golden Gloves Boxing ring at the very end and a freestanding shrimp shack near the entrance,” he said. Those days were always capped off with a genuine Chicago hot dog.
Bishop knows not to call his parents while they’re watching “Jeopardy!” yet he’s thankful to live near them. He resides with his wife and is proud to talk about
his daughter, who is an electrician. He’s a graduate of Devry, holding a B.S. in Computer Systems.
Bishop greets residents, cleaning staff and contractors in their native languages.
He said he is the keeper of all gossip and a font of information for the residents. In fact, his favorite part of the job is the relationships he has with the residents. The commute from the suburbs isn’t too bad either because, “I know all of the back ways.”
A myriad of hobbies occupy Bishop’s spare time. A self-described “music head,” if he likes it, he adds it to his already massive music collection. He’s traveled all over the world with many more trips to come. Bishop is also confident enought to do the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen.
“What you see is what you get with me,” he said.
To nominate your favorite doorperson, email [email protected] with their name and why they should be the door person of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.
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