Despite the circumstances, our Naperville community has found ways to band together. Through it all, our restaurants and businesses are finding unique ways to keep our community entertained and even paying-it-forward.
Billy Bricks Wood Fire Pizza isn’t just doing take-out for customers, they are also giving back to the community. According to co-owner, Ric Gruber Jr., they have “focused on finding ways to promote business while helping provide free meals to hospital workers, police officers and other first responders.”
One of the ways Billy Bricks has been giving back is by matching food donations, dollar for dollar, with pizza donations.
“So far, we have donated or have scheduled to donate, over 1,056 meals and pizzas,” Gruber says. These meals go to staff at Edward Hospital, along with various other nearby hospitals and police stations.
Sharko’s BBQ has also been helping the community. Owner Brian Sharko says they collaborated with Christine Jeffries of Naperville Development Partnership and Shannon Grobe, wife of a doctor with DuPage Medical Group, “to determine best contacts and who on the frontline of this Covid war needs the most help.”
Because of this collaboration, Sharko’s delivered meals to Edward Hospital staff on Easter Sunday.
The Naperville community has also played a key factor in the success of restaurants. “I am so grateful, thankful and humbled by the great community support we have received to keep our doors open and staff employed,” Sharko adds.
Additionally, one Naperville business has found a way to cater to customers at home while partnering with a local restaurant. Pinot’s Palette and Egg Harbor Café have joined forces. Pinot’s has been putting together painting kits, offering virtual classes and Zoom private parties for the community.
“We had to innovate and adapt the way we do business,” Pam Bartlett, owner of Pinot’s Palette says. “Thankfully our neighbor, Egg Harbor, offered to let us distribute them with their help.”
Customers have the option to order a take-out meal from Egg Harbor along with their painting kit.
Naperville car dealerships are also contributing to the local community in a great way. In fact, the Gerald family has made a donation to Hesed House for 45 rounds of cleaning services. Doug Gerald also donated 500 meals to Hesed House and to Edward Hospital.
Visit DineNaperville.com to see the many restaurants that are open for take-out. Soon, we will all see one another again, but until then, our Naperville community continues to stand strong together.
Our Naperville hotels remain open, with some offering discounted prices at this time. For any assistance, please contact me at cmadinya@naper.org.
