Midway Moving and Storage: The First 20 Years

1986

Jerry I. Siegel, a senior at Illinois State University, works briefly as a mover at a local company. Repeatedly refused a sales position, he offers to work for free in exchange for a chance to learn the business.  By the time he graduates, Siegel is the company’s top salesman.

1987

With one truck and two employees, Siegel starts his own moving company, Midway Moving and Storage, in his parents’ basement in Skokie, Illinois. Two years later, the company moves to a larger facility – the back of Siegel’s parents’ restaurant at Sheridan and Montrose in Chicago.

1992

Trucks: 12

Employees: 60

Annual Moves: 1,500

Midway purchases a facility on Montrose Avenue in Chicago which houses 2,500 square feet of non-accessible storage. 

1995

Trucks: 30

Employees: 110

Annual Moves: 6,500

Midway purchases a 100,000 square-foot facility on West Chicago Avenue and begins a three-year sponsorship of the Chicago Cubs.

1997

Trucks: 50

Employees: 140

Annual Moves: 8,250

The Illinois Commerce Commission recognizes Midway Moving and Storage as the largest residential moving company in Illinois.
Midway expands its service capabilities by offering interstate and worldwide relocation

1999

Trucks: 70

Employees: 175

Annual Moves: 10,000

Midway begins a partnership with the City of Chicago by becoming the Official Movers of the internationally acclaimed Summer Public Art Program, “Chicago Cows on Parade.” After the program, the cow sculptures are auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting local charities. Midway delivers cows to auction winners, including Oprah Winfrey.

Midway becomes a major supporter of the Glass Slipper Project, an organization that provides free gowns for low-income high school girls so they can attend their senior proms. The company continues to provide transport, set-up and storage services for the Project.

Based on a shared commitment to the community, Midway becomes the Official Mover of the Chicago Bulls by entering into a five-year sponsorship, the first in franchise history. 

Midway is selected by the Chicago Housing Authority to help in the unprecedented five-year relocation plan for the residents of Cabrini Green.

Midway Moving and Storage reaches 10,000 annual moves and is recognized by National Van Lines as the agent with the second highest gross sales in the country.

2000

Trucks: 100

Employees: 195

Annual Moves: 10,500

In need of a larger facility, Midway begins to explore opportunities outside of the city. Mayor Richard M. Daley and Alderman Ed H. Smith, vowing to keep Midway and its job opportunities in the city, work together to support the company’s development of a new storage and training facility in the Alderman’s 28th Ward.

Midway begins tradition of hosting the Annual Holiday Initiative Dinner Party, which provides dinner, entertainment and gifts for 500 children of Chicago Housing Authority residents. The event gives an opportunity for less fortunate kids to get the true sense of the holiday.

Midway’s truck fleet is equipped with Guidance Positioning System (GPS) to track locations and keep detailed activity records.

2001

Trucks: 110

Employees: 210

Annual Moves: 10,750

Midway renews its partnership with the Chicago Summer Public Art Program, becoming the Official Mover of “Suite Home Chicago.”

National Van Lines awards Midway a First Place Residential Sales Award.

Continually investing in customer service, Midway launches a full-service Web site, complete with information about local, long distance and commercial moves, packing and storage services, license and insurance information, moving tips and free online estimates.

2002

Trucks: 125

Employees: 245

Annual Moves: 11,000

Midway Moving and Storage purchases land in Chicago’s Northwest Industrial Corridor to build a new corporate headquarters and warehouse facility.

Backed by Mayor Daley and Alderman Ed Smith, the Chicago City Council unanimously approves funding for a Mover Training Facility, to be located adjacent to Midway headquarters. The Training Facility will teach basic moving skills and create dozens of jobs, with its graduates finding employment both at Midway and other area moving companies.

Midway’s record of excellence wins multiple state and government contracts, including contracts with Chicago Public Schools to relocate schools, the Board of Elections to transport voting machines and the Chicago Housing Authority to relocate residents.

2003

Trucks: 140

Employees: 260

Annual Moves: 12,000

In December, Midway Moving and Storage breaks ground on its new facility at 4100 W. Ferdinand in Chicago’s Northwest Industrial Corridor. The seven-acre site will house more than 254,000 square feet of storage capacity.

Midway’s Web site undergoes an extensive update, resulting in a nearly 50 percent increase in hits every month over the previous year.

Midway begins participating in Mayor Daley’s Kidstart Program, which provides employment to low income students. The company creates a one-year, entry-level training position, Administrative Scheduling, which teaches moving industry policies and procedures and basic office skills, including customer service. Since its inception, two Kidstart employees have parlayed the skills they learned at Midway into rewarding careers.

2004

Trucks: 150

Employees: 270

Annual Moves: 13,000

Midway Moving and Storage celebrates the grand opening of its new corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art storage warehouse, outfitted with smoke detectors, sprinklers, security cameras and a barcode system to accurately and efficiently track inventory.

2005

Trucks: 160

Employees: 280

Annual Moves: 14,000

Midway Moving and Storage creates and implements a new proprietary database system that allows all Midway departments to share real-time information, tracking how long the truck was used, the scheduled pick-up time, the actual arrival and departure times, and the items that were moved. 

Increased warehouse space allows Midway to introduce Mobile Storage Unit service, a more convenient and low-cost alternative to traditional public storage. Midway brings a large crate to the site, where it is loaded by Midway movers or the customers themselves and then stored at Midway’s facility until the customer requires it.

2006

Trucks: 170

Employees: 290+

Annual Moves: 15,000

President and CEO Jerry I. Seigel is named Honorary Mayor by the Little City Foundation. 

Midway Moving and Storage, Inc. is the number-one rated residential and commercial relocation and storage company in Chicagoland. The company is comprised of dedicated professionals, dedicated to providing superior service, accurate planning and cost-effective moving and storage services. Midway shows its commitment to the community by providing job opportunities and training and by supporting charitable organizations through donations and meaningful participation.