Scott Weddle prides himself on being a neighborhood fixture. He owns two UPS stores in Chicago, but is primarily known for the one at 1055 W. Bryn Mawr in Edgewater. "We're kinda like the Cheers of Andersonville and Edgewater, where we know everybody by name, and they know me by name," he said. "They expect to see me at this store and, when I'm not, I hear about it."
The Edgewater store opened Feb. 16, 2005, at a time when that entire corner was boarded. "There was no retail here," he said. "I was the first to sign a lease here. This whole stretch [ at Bryn Mawr and Winthrop ] used to be a Walgreens, but it was closed for 15 years.
"What's unique about [ this area ] is that it's a very eclectic neighborhood, which brings in every walk of life [ to ] this store. My staff likes that and I like that, and that's what makes this store [ different ] from the others."
So why did Weddle decide on a UPS store? "When I decided to leave corporate America, I started looking at different business and UPS had just started re-branding its store. It just seemed like a name that would have longevity, and I wanted a business that would last.
"Also, I'd always wanted to own my own business. It was a big step, and a bumpy journey at times, but one of the best decisions of my life. Success never comes without sacrifice, but I would not change one portion of this journey. In fact, I highly recommend to others, of all ages, to follow their dreams."
When asked if there are any drawbacks, Weddle mentioned two that are familiar to almost every local business owner. "The rent is always going to be high in Chicago, and it's going to bite into what you can do as a business. Also, dealing with city issues is sometimes not so easy; we have so many rules and regulations."
A talk with Weddle mined interesting facts, including that he studied hotel/restaurant management in college; worked at a Ritz-Carlton; and worked for Amtrak for 17 years, living in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Miami. He then moved to Chicago in 2000 to run the Midwest Corridor, "which ran from here to Grand Rapids, to Detroit, to St. Louis, to Kansas City and Milwaukee."
Another intriguing bit is that Weddle almost became a man of the cloth. "After going to Virginia Western Community College to study hotel/restaurant management, I went to Circleville Bible College [ in Ohio ] to become a minister." So why didn't he complete the program? "It was at Circleville that I accepted my own gay identity, and that brought me out. I saw a lot of hypocrisy in the college and in the ministry, and I knew I couldn't lie to myself and couldn't lie to others. So I finished the college and I decided on a different career."
A typical day for Weddle, who has been on the board of directors for the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce for five and a half years, involves "getting up fairly early and going to one of the two storesalthough no matter which one I'm at, I'm usually talking to the other one because of shipping, posters, copies and, during the recession, watching budgets [ and ] reducing costs." As for the unusual development of opening a second store in this economy, Weddle said, "Warren Buffett said, 'If you've heard the robin sing, spring has already come.' That was my philosophy last year: to go after opportunities, instead of sitting on my fingers."
Looking at Weddle, it's pretty obvious he works out constantly ( which probably also helps in getting customers coming to his stores ) and eats healthily. Weddle, who works out five times a week, said that "it's possible to eat healthy Southern food. Blackened catfish is healthy. Collard greens made with olive oil and onions instead of fatback is healthy. Macaroni and cheese made with whole-wheat pasta, lowfat cheese and egg whites is healthy. And I stay away from processed sugars."
Lastly, regarding the spate of gay teen suicides that have been publicized, Weddle said, "Something that's been important to me throughout my life is to be a positive role model for the gay kids coming up, especially the male gay kids. It's always been important to live my life with integrity."
THE STATS
Name
Scott Weddle
Hometown
Roanoke, Va.
Age
"Old enough to know better"
Relationship status
Has a partner of three years, Mike
Favorite food
"If somebody's taking me out and wants to treat me, I really do like prime rib."
Hobbies
Working out, attending musicals, listening to old jazz, collecting McCoy pottery
Pets
Three cats and two dogs
( all rescues )