At DLC, Take Your Kid to Work Day is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year—for both our employees and their children. It is a day filled with learning, creativity, and a hands-on glimpse into the exciting world of open-air retail real estate.
From the moment the kids arrive, there is an undeniable buzz of energy throughout our offices. Young DLCers have their power breakfast with their parents and new teammates as they prepare to step into the shoes of their parents and experience firsthand what it means to be part of DLC, one of the nation’s leading owners and operators of open-air shopping centers. Through interactive activities and real-world projects, they learn how our properties are thoughtfully developed, leased, and managed to create vibrant retail destinations that serve communities across the country.
One of the highlights of the day is the team challenge, where the children work together to design their very own shopping centers. Drawing from DLC’s extensive roster of national and regional tenants, the kids carefully curate a mix of retailers, restaurants, and services to bring their visions to life. They brainstorm the best tenant lineup to meet the needs of their communities, just like our leasing, development, and operations teams do every day. Watching them collaborate, negotiate, and problem-solve provides a heartwarming glimpse into the creativity and teamwork that drive our business.
Take Your Child to Work Day always holds a special meaning for DLC CEO and Founder Adam Ifshin. Two of his three grandchildren, who he lovingly refers to as G4 to reflect that they are the fourth generation of the family to be part of DLC, were a part of the day’s activities.
“We started DLC in a one-room office—just my father, Steve Ifshin, and me, with a vision and a lot of hustle. Having my grandchildren here today to see what DLC has grown into is incredibly special. It reminds me that while buildings and leases are important, it is the people—and the generations behind them—that truly build something lasting.”
Throughout the day, the kids also meet team members from across different departments—leasing, property management, marketing, acquisitions, and construction—and see how every role is connected to the success of our properties. It is a powerful reminder of how DLC’s culture of collaboration, innovation, and execution shapes everything we do.
Take Your Kid to Work Day is more than just a fun tradition; it is an investment in the next generation. At DLC, we believe in building not just great shopping centers and investments, but great futures.
