Writer / Stephanie Duncan
Lids Sports Group’s new office in Zionsville feels more like the ultimate sports getaway than a traditional office. With a giant sports ticker in the main lobby, a state-of-the-art social media command center and ESPN playing on flat screens throughout the building 24/7, it’s easy to forget that people come here for work.
And people do work. Lids Sport Group’s new building allows employees to keep up with the latest sports trends and respond to changes in real time, and they have fun while doing it.
“I, personally, love all of the references to sport,” said Jeff Pearson, Lids Senior Vice President of Ecommerce. “Each room named after a sports venue, the chairs with logos of NFL or collegiate teams. The Press Box is a great addition. And, of course, I love hearing/seeing ESPN everywhere I go. I am very proud to be part of this organization.”
The project for a new headquarters started in 2014, but Lids’ new office was finally ready for business in early February. The grand opening was held in October.
Everywhere you walk on the expansive, 150,000-square-foot building and surrounding campus was designed with the sports fan in mind, including the NBA-donated basketball courts in the company parking lot. There is also the hangout spot named “The Dugout,” with a fully functional cafeteria, ESPN on every screen, pool tables, and more. The company knows how to play hard, but work harder.
While Lids has become one of the largest sports licensed retailers in North America, it has stayed true to its roots by remaining in Indiana. Hatworld, Inc., which acquired Lids, has been an Indiana-based company since 1995, when the first store opened in Lafayette. The company remained in Indiana due to its central location and business-friendly atmosphere. Pearson also emphasized Indiana’s sports connections.
“I think since the company was founded in Indiana it’s important to keep the roots of the company grounded here,” he said. “I also believe that Indiana is at the center of much of the collegiate and professional sports leagues. Think NCAA, NFL Combine etc.”
Moving into a larger building in Zionsville allows the company to keep growing.
“The new location is attracting attention and making it easier to recruit and retain talent,” Pearson said. “With all the amenities in the building, it’s a very conducive work environment for success.”
With the addition of the new social media command center, dubbed “The Pressbox,” Pearson thinks Lids is going to get better and better.
“I love working at Lids,” he said. “We have a hard-working and extremely collaborative workforce. And since we get paid to know what is happening in the world of sports and fashion, it’s the best of all worlds. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work here.”
The Pressbox has eight large flat screens, flashing real-time updates to their social media accounts, sports news and customer demographics.
A wall in the lobby has enormous words “Have Fun, Sell Hats.” The company’s new Zionsville office will help them do more of both.
To find out more about Lids Sports Group, check out Lids.com.
