Ox&Pen

The West Loop has been good to us. Ox&Pen headquarters have occupied a loft at Washington & Morgan for about a year and a half now, and we’ve loved every minute of it. What do we love most? Easy: all of the food that is on our front door step, next door, and in our backyard. There really isn’t enough time to explore all of them.

Divine Dine & Wine in the West Loop on February 28!

That’s where Divine Dine & Wine comes in. On February 28, the West Loop’s annual “celebration of culinary excellence” will feature over 50 different dishes and pairings from some of the city’s most drool-worthy restaurants. Among the eateries participating: Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Saigon Sisters, Vera, Sepia, Glazed & Infused, Porkchop, Three Aces, Carnivale, Lillies Q, Skinnie Piggy and Pastoral. YUM.

We (the businesses, the residents, the visitors) owe a tip of the hat to the West Central Association, the driving force behind Divine Dine & Wine and countless other events Chicagoans enjoy throughout the year.

The WCA has made it top priority to work with businesses in an effort to better expose local brands to new, interested and engaged audiences. This is an organization that fully understands the value of building up the neighborhood for the benefit of both residents and commercial endeavors. They’ve created quite a loyal network of local merchants and customers, and Ox&Pen is excited to partner with the WCA to increase the interest in shopping and dining and small businesses.

Learn more & purchase tickets here.

Continue reading “Divine Dine & Wine: Celebrating the West…” »

Loyalogy recently released the annual LoyaltyPulse study, an in-depth study of 1,124 consumers across the U.S.

Among the many interesting findings:

• Consumers estimate a restaurant rewards programs would increase their visit rate to a particular restaurant by an average of 35%.
• Nearly two-thirds of consumers (65%) report they would recommend a restaurant more to others if that restaurant offered an appealing rewards program.
• A single rewards program membership covering multiple restaurant brands has significant appeal to consumers. 73% of respondents agreed they would like to have one rewards program membership that was honored at multiple restaurants.

It seems that as daily deals decrease in popularity, merchants are turning to loyalty programs in an effort to incentivize repeat visits. It makes sense, after all; merchants would rather reward customers who come back and pay full price than offer goods and services for 50% off (or more) to patrons who don’t seem to return.

Loyalty programs, as most people reading this are aware, have become more than a punch card you pick up at each restaurant or shop you frequent. Many loyalty programs now come in the form of mobile app that basically aggregates all of the digital punches you earn by visiting various businesses. You can use one mobile app to rack up points at each merchant you visit. Some of these apps tout themselves as a “universal” system. Here’s the problem: the points you earn through such a digital punch card are not universally redeemable for rewards.

Fortunately for the 73% of customers who want one rewards program that honors points at multiple restaurants, Ox&Pen has created a network of merchants, all of which honor points that were earned at any of the other specialty shops and restaurants.

By setting up this unprecedented network of local merchants, customers are now able to accrue points at multiple businesses, across multiple categories, and put them toward rewards at any of the businesses in the network. Yes, that does mean that if you make purchases at Roots Pizza, Krista K Boutique and Leopold, you can redeem your points for rewards at Jefferson Tap. Pretty sweet… I guess you can include the team here at Ox&Pen as part of the 73% that prefers universal points.

Continue reading “Loyalty study: 73% of consumers want one…” »

Best Movember mustache goes to...

Big news: Ox&Pen founder & CEO, Andrew Gluck, will take the stage tonight at Technori Pitch! You’ll know who he is because he’ll be the presenter with the best Movember mustache.

If you haven’t been to Technori Pitch yet, it’s well worth your time. As technori.com articulates, “Technori Pitch is a monthly showcase of the city’s most innovative companies, pitching their latest technologies. It’s the city’s first large-scale, curated platform for companies to demo before an audience of entrepreneurs, executives, and enthusiasts. Every month, five companies get 5 minutes to demo their product and 3 minutes of moderated audience Q&A.”

As most of you know, Chicago’s startup scene is burgeoning, and Technori Pitch is your chance to see a few of Chicago’s up-and-coming companies. Plus, after the event, there are food & drink specials at Rosebud Theatre District; we can’t complain about that. Join us tonight! Tickets available here.

Continue reading “Join Ox&Pen at Technori Pitch tonight!…” »

You get to go on special tours of one of the city’s most celebrated breweries.

On Monday, Ken from Goose Island led us on a private tour of the local brewery’s Fulton & Wood location. Matilda and Sofie lovers – this is where all Private Reserve brews originate, including the aforementioned, Pepe Nero and Lolita.

Warehouse full of bourbon casks for Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout

On the tour, Ken led us through all the typical brewery tour talking points—barley, hops, yeast, wheat and that delicious Lake Michigan water. All of this is necessary information as I train my palate to distinguish subtleties in each beer I sip, but for me, it wasn’t the selling point about the Chicago brewery.

Ken went onto explain how Goose Island can brew so many different families of beer without them all tasting like each other. In many breweries, only one or two strands of yeast (or Hefe, in German) are used for the beers, so if 10 different beers are brewed, those two strands are used for multiple beers from multiple families. At Goose Island, nine or 10 strands of yeast are used, which is why the different families of beer produced have notably distinct flavors—as if the beers weren’t even produced at the same brewery.

Goose Island's Fulton & Wood location

Of all the things Ken divulged yesterday, however, one brewery anecdote stood out among the rest. During the roasting of the barley, the husks of the barley come off, and are essentially useless for the rest of the brewing process. Rather than just chuck those husks into the garbage, Goose Island gives them to a local hog farmer to feed to his pigs. The farmer, in turn, sells his pigs to the brewery, which Goose Island serves in its brewpub locations.

I’m constantly blown away by the efforts of local merchants to support other local businesses. The resulting network creates a sustainable environment in which local, independent businesses can thrive. When merchants are part of a network, they support each other and facilitate local shopping and dining among patrons. After touring Goose Island, we at Ox&Pen were delighted to see our city beer icon taking the lead in participating in a local network.

For more coverage of the Ox&Pen Tour de Goose, check us out on Facebook (and like us while you’re there!).

Continue reading “Reason #87 working for a Chicago startup…” »

In some ways, it feels like it’s been just a couple of months. In other ways it feels like it’s been…well, more than that. It’s been an exhilarating ride here at Ox&Pen thus far. A trip to Great America has nothing on this roller coaster we’ve all been on! Yes, we launched just five months ago. But how do you think all those merchants appeared on our platform on that first day? We’ve been working this from the West Loop since last September.

Perhaps the reason it feels like more than a year, is because it’s really been closer to two years since initially conceiving the idea. Here are a few fun facts as to what has transpired in that time:

Concept to wire frames to functioning site & app

• I have taken on a Dutch business partner
• The idea has gone from concept, to wire frames, to production web and mobile apps
• We’re on our fifth version of the mobile app, and have a few tricks up our sleeve as to how to improve it in the near future…Stay tuned!
• The company has grown from five employees to 14
• We inherited a mascot
• The Ox&Pen merchant base has grown rapidly…and continues to do so
  

  Office mascot, Madison!

• Peter’s hair is twice as long
• …and my hair is twice as grey

But in all seriousness, I am proud to be a part of this group. We have talented and motivated people who have really bought into the vision, yet know they have the voice to consistently challenge it to make it better. Do team meetings get somewhat “spirited” amongst the group at times? ABSOLUTELY. However, the one thing we all know is that whatever happens within these walls at our West Loop headquarters is with the intention of improving your experience. Everything we do is to provide our members with the most comprehensive, yet intuitive loyalty program at their fingertips,  and in turn, create loyal customers for our merchants. “Brick by brick,” as we frequently say here.

So, all this happened in just one year? Well, that’s pretty cool…seems like a lot of good stuff in a short amount of time…a lot of bricks, if you will. However, we’ve just begun to scratch the surface and there’s still a long way to go to establish the presence we’d like. We’re just an infant in this space. It will take a lot more 12-14 hour days from the whole team here to get us where we want to be, and to have the reach we will ultimately need to still be standing at the end.

We appreciate the support everyone has given us, and welcome more feedback on how we can improve.

I look forward to what the next year holds.

Continue reading “Has it been a year already? Really?…” »

The weekend is almost upon us! It’s the final weekend of August, the last before Labor Day. So wear all the white you own and get outside; perfect weather is expected this weekend and you don’t want to miss out.

Taste of Greece is the festival to attend on Saturday and Sunday. Personally, I’m going there with a determined objective of overdosing on saganaki, kalamata olives and feta cheese. Others may have their eyes on grape leaves, baklava and that irresistible Greek charm. Whatever it is that brings you out, hope to see you there. Ox&Pen will have a booth. If you’re interested in spinning the Wheel of Loyalty to win purple swag, a gift certificate or universal loyalty points, stop by to see us!

The festival runs from 100 S. to 400 S. Halsted. Bring your friends!

Also going on this weekend is Fashion in the Street, presented by the West Loop Community Organization. Held at Washington & Green from noon – 10:00 pm this Saturday & Sunday, the event features live runway shows, boutique street shopping and a model search by Factor Women 1:00 – 3:00 each day. While you’re there, grab a snack from Westminster Hot Dog and earn some Ox&Pen universal loyalty points.

And one more thing… Special shout out to all the triathletes competing in the Chicago Triathlon this weekend! If you’re up for an early morning, head to Monroe Harbor on Sunday to cheer them on. The first wave starts swimming at 6:00 a.m.

Continue reading “The Weekend Lineup…” »

Ox&Pen is returning to the Chicago summer festival scene this weekend, opening up a booth at Wicker Park Fest on July 28 and 29. To the delight

Look for the Ox&Pen booth at Wicker Park Fest and spin to win great prizes!

of all you locavores out there, the booth will again feature the Wheel of Loyalty, which festival goers can spin for the chance to win swag, loyalty points and gift cards from celebrated local merchants like:

• Frontier
• The Pony
• Aquarium Salon
• The Fifty/50
• Roots Pizza
• Blümgarten & Co. Floral Design
• Westminster Hot Dog

Every spinner is a winner!

A few weeks ago, Ox&Pen ended up being one of the main attractions at West Fest as festival attendees stopped by to spin the Wheel of Loyalty. Whether it was the lure of winning gift cards from a few of Chicago’s most highly regarded local merchants, or just the chance to spin a prize wheel, there was always a crowd around the Ox&Pen booth.

West Fest was our first experience as a festival sponsor, and because it was such a big success and so fun, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it again. Wicker Park is an incredible neighborhood and we look forward to the chance to support it and its local merchants.

At Wicker Park Fest this weekend, those who download the Ox&Pen app for iPhone® or Android™and use it to check in at the booth are invited to spin the Wheel of Loyalty. Spinners win one of many prizes, including: gift cards, tank tops, t-shirts, water bottles, sunglasses and Ox&Pen universal loyalty points. And yes, every spin wins!

Wicker Park Fest is on Milwaukee Ave., from North to Paulina, from noon – 10:00 p.m. on Sat., July 28 and Sun., July 29. A $5 donation upon entrance is suggested. Proceeds benefit the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.

Continue reading “Win gift cards and prizes at Wicker…” »

I don’t think a blog can adequately convey how much of a blast we had at West Fest. Many thanks to the West Town Chamber of Commerce for putting on a great event, and to the many friends and neighbors who stopped by the Ox&Pen booth to spin the Wheel of Loyalty. There weren’t any slow moments during the weekend. Some people came over hoping to hear more about a universal loyalty program; some wanted to know what all the commotion was; and some stopped by solely because they like anything and everything purple.

The Ox&Pen booth was conveniently positioned near Roots Pizza and Bleeding Heart Bakery and Café; the fact that we were giving away gift cards for the two hot spots and buying shots at Roots for Ox&Pen members may have been part of the reason for the ever-present and excited crowd huddled around our booth.

We gave away hundreds of prizes, including gift cards, sunglasses, t-shirts, water bottles and tens of thousands of universal loyalty points. We made new friends and networked with local merchants interested in the platform. We ate delicious food from Frontier, our booth neighbor, and cooled off with a few ice-cold beers. Check out a few photos from the weekend on our Facebook page (you can like us too while you’re there!).

It was an awesome weekend and we can’t wait until our next festival appearance—Wicker Park Fest on July 28 & 29! See you there!

P.S.  Those of you who took home loyalty points, keep in mind you can redeem them anywhere in the network! They’re yours to use whenever and wherever you’d like! For a list of rewards you can get with your loyalty points, sign in to your Ox&Pen account and click this link.

The Ox&Pen team at West Fest

Manning the booth

Spinning the Wheel of Loyalty

Continue reading “Spinning the Wheel of Loyalty at West…” »

Last week, people around the globe celebrated the Summer Solstice. And while the longest day of the year definitely warrants ample revelry, we Chicagoans know that every day during the summer presents a cause to eat, drink and be merry.

Each weekend of summer at least two Windy City neighborhoods shut down their streets to vehicular traffic and host street festivals that are packed with creative originals from local artists and retailers and delicious fare, cold beer and sangria from local restaurants and bars. These fests provide us the perfect opportunity to get to know every Chicago neighborhood, enjoy the warm weather and take in the many unique and delicious creations of local merchants.

So what’s on tap for this weekend?

Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party is on June 29 & 30. Enter the party at Madison and Desplaines in the West Loop. Tickets start at $40.

Bonus: take advantage of drink promotions at nearby bars! Ox&Pen is buying a round for each member at Jefferson Tap and Porkchop, which are just steps away from Old St. Pat’s! Get a domestic draft or Beer of the Month at Jefferson Tap or a draft PBR at Porkchop—on us! (Check out the promotions on the app for details. If you don’t have the app yet, download now for iPhone® or Android™!)

If you’re going to Old St. Pat’s, look for purple; the Ox&Pen team will be hanging with partygoers and handing out swag!

Three hooligans wearing purple getting festive at a Chicago summer fest.

Continue reading “Go local, enjoy the weather, explore Chicago…” »

This summer, Ox&Pen wants to buy you a drink. Seriously. All members are invited to use their Ox&Pen app to redeem a promotion for a free drink at any of the following local Chicago bars:

• The Fifty/50:  Free house shot
• Roots Pizza:  Free house shot
• Witts:  Free draft beer ($6 value or less)
• Leopold:  Free draft beer ($6 value or less)
• Jefferson Tap:  Free domestic draft or Beer of the Month
• Porkchop:  Free draft PBR

If you’re not an Ox&Pen member yet, becoming one is easy! Simply download the Ox&Pen app for iPhone® or Android™ (search for “Ox&Pen”) and complete the registration process. You can also register here, but you still need to download the app to get your free drink!

Sidenote: if you’re heading out to Wells Street Art Festival, Old Town Art Festival or Rib Fest this weekend, look for Ox&Pen! We’ll be clad in purple and handing out some sweet swag. Come say hi!

Continue reading “Free drinks for Ox&Pen members!…” »