Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Gillengerten.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tim. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2001, I commuted to my downtown corporate marketing job by taking the CTA elevated train. While waiting on the platform one day, I began to envision how the ‘L’ stop signs may be considered artwork. I began designing an artful version of my stop.
Realizing that I really loved the neighborhood that I lived in and all of the great neighborhoods that I’ve experienced while living in the city, I added neighborhood names to each stop graphic. I brought the idea to the CTA and they jumped on board with the whole concept. Transit Tees was born.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The startup cost for a small business can be overwhelming. There were many times that I felt that the business would not survive, but every time it rose back up like a Phoenix from the flames. A deep-seated passion and support from family and friends allowed the business to become strong and prosper.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Transit Tees – what should we know?
Transit Tees has a dedicated creative team that designs over 95% of everything we produce. We are Chicago inspired and manufacture in Chicago and the Midwest.
Transit Tees draws visuals from a wide range of Chicago’s metropolitan landscapes and transforms them into products; apparel, accessories, artwork, cards, gifts, kitchenware and more. The brand, founded in 2001 by Tim Gillengerten, a creative director who aspired to build an apparel line that reinterprets subway maps, street signs, city seals and flags in ways that the public had never seen before.
Today, Transit Tees is an official manufacturer for the Chicago Transit Authority and locally designs, fabricates and retails their signature brand online and at their two storefronts in Wicker Park and Andersonville. One of our design criteria is that the staff would be proud to wear or use the product they design. We are a true insider Chicago brand that also appeals to the metropolitan visitor.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion and drive has sustained the company. Believing in what we do is the only way that we were able to get to this point.
Pricing:
- Buttons, Magnets and Stickers $2.00
- Shirts $16 – $28
- Posters $10-$20
- Socks, Totes and Hats $16 – $28
- Postcards and Greeting Cards $2 – $4
- Glassware, Mugs and Dish Towels $10 – $14
Contact Info:
- Address: 1371 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 (Wicker Park)
5226 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640 (Andersonville) - Website: www.TransitTees.com
- Phone: 773.227.1810 (Wicker), 773.942.6823 (Andersonville)
- Email: contact@transittees.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transittees/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitTees
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TransitTees
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/transit-tees-chicago-2?frvs=True&osq=transit+tees
Image Credit:
Daniel Evan Bell
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Rebecca Parks Gillengerten
July 6, 2018 at 10:37 pm
VERY Cool website!!! Love it ….but love you guys more!