By Brian Marchetti
The newest additions to the Beverly/Morgan Park community, Jessie and Zach Hiner, hail from Saugatuck and Lansing, Michigan, respectively. Both proud Spartan alums of Michigan State University, Jessie made her way to Chicago to attend a graduate program in economics at UIC.
For 12 years, they lived in the South Loop, but as their family has grown with the addition of one-year-old Gabriel, the Hiners sought out a more family-oriented community.
“We fell in love with the neighborhood when we first drove down Longwood Drive,” Zach said. He works as the executive director for SNAP, a nonprofit advocacy group that assists adults who were victims of sexual abuse as children.
Jessie, a data analyst for BMO, took notice of the unique architecture and the community’s efforts to preserve it.
“People really respect the neighborhood and how it was built,” Jessie said. “There’s a real sense of community here. It’s not a cookie-cutter type of neighborhood. “
Since moving into their new home at 104th and Seeley in mid-April, the Hiners have just begun to discover what Beverly/Morgan Park has to offer.
“We love County Fair and Nicky’s has become our go-to restaurant,” Jessie said.
In their spare time, the Hiners love to travel. One of Jessie’s favorite destinations was the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu. It’s a hike that normally takes four days, but Jessie and Zach pulled it off in three.
Zach enjoys the outdoors and plays guitar. He’s looking forward to this year’s Riot Fest which has several bands he grew up listening to in the lineup.
“It’s like they took bands right out of my playlist,” Zach said. “AFI, Bayside, Hawthorne Heights, there are also some ridiculous acts, like Insane Clown Posse that I will probably stay away from.”
As proud graduates of Michigan State, the Hiners have season tickets and frequently travel to East Lansing to cheer on their beloved Spartans.
Though they’ve only been part of the community for a handful of weeks, Jessie and Zach feel right at home.
“Everyone’s been so welcoming. We’re excited.” Jessie said.
So, here’s to hoping that Jessie, Zach, and future Spartan Gabriel get to enjoy everything that Beverly/Morgan Park has to offer.
