BUCKTOWN — An app that ensures packages ordered online are safely delivered — at more convenient times such as after 6 p.m.— has established a Chicago depot in Bucktown.
"It's closer to where our customers are," said Shaun Baker, director of operations for San Francisco-based Doorman, an app that helps users schedule personalized package deliveries so they don't have to face the choice between missing daytime deliveries and risking theft.
Last week, Doorman relocated its Chicago branch from the West Loop to 1741 N. Damen Ave. along a stretch of street that both Wicker Park and Bucktown boosters lay claim.
As soon as packages get to the Bucktown depot, app users (who use the Damen address as the delivery destination instead of their home address) get a notification. Then they can arrange a delivery anytime up until midnight.
A staff of eight people — half are drivers — get the packages to the owners when they want them, and within an hour's time if necessary.
Anyone who downloads the app will get a $3.99 credit for their first delivery. The service costs $3.99 per package delivery. Subscriptions for those who order several packages per month start at $19.99, Baker said.
Sandwiched between Gilani Auto Clinic and the T-Shirt Deli and a few steps from the Bucktown entry to the elevated Bloomingdale Trail, the storefront depot has frosted windows so that the packages inside cannot be viewed from the street.
"We are only using it for better exposure and to be closer to our customers. It won't initially be open to the public," Baker said.
Launched in San Francisco in 2013 by a Pixar Tehnical Director, Zander Adell, Doorman — after months of beta testing and raising $1.5 million in investor capital last summer — entered the Chicago market last September.
The app's usage in Chicago as well as San Francisco and New York has been growing steadily, at 25-percent month growth and has had over 90-percent retention for the past few months in Chicago, Baker said.
"All of our customers are very excited about our service. It takes the negative aspects out of package delivery," Baker said.
"With UPS, if you are not home they will leave [the package] on the doorstep, where it is vulnerable to theft or water damage. Or you can do a signature, but if you miss that, you get a missed sticker on door and if you get three of those it will get sent back," Baker said.
Currently, Doorman does not offer in-store pickup, though it could eventually do so if the shop is remodeled, Baker said.
Doorman's depot, at 1741 N. Damen Ave. [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
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