Weber Dining options during the pandemic
social media of their outdoor dining experience to encourage others to join them,” according to the release.
Highland Park restaurants also are fortifying delivery and curbside pickup options.
Chamber representatives were quick to point out that most restaurants have adapted admirably to the environment of change.
“Our local restaurant industry has suffered significantly through the coronavirus outbreak. Sales are down dramatically and job losses are up. It is impressive to see how some restaurants previously had limited pick up or delivery were able to adapt to make those choices available to their patrons,” President and CEO of Elgin Area Chamber CarolK. Gieske said.
However, the lack of certainty has taken its toll. “A rainy day or cooler weather we have experienced thisweek can cost restaurants tremendous revenues from outdoor seating. Shifting in the number of virus cases just can happen over a period of days can force a restaurant to lose major revenue streams,” Naperville Director of Government Affairs Reba Osborne said.
Osborne pointed out in August, Will County was forced to move back to phase three as virus numbers rose. Restaurants that had just begun to offer limited indoor dining had to close for another period of a fewweeks. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, along with other nearby chambers of commerce, sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker “challenging this inequity in how our businesses can operate,” Osborne said.
A particular challenge for some chambers that their members are in more than one county, and, in fact, more than one of the COVID regions Gov. J.B. Pritzker has designated .“With our members spanning three counties and two COVID-19 regions, the regulations and enforcement from one municipality, county and region is challenging especially for businesses that have multiple location each with differing regulations,” Aurora’s Doyle said.
Elgin and Naperville face similar obstacles.
Some businesses were able to change plans in away that helped them. “MORA on the River is a great example of a business that took action during this crisis. In the midst of construction to build out restaurant located in the hearth of downtown Aurora, MORA on the River’s owner, Jason Morales, had the vision to
open the restaurant early— to patio dining only. The access to outdoor space afforded the restaurant to open in advance of its launch time-frame,” Doyle said. MORA was open all summer, but recently closed until early 2021.
“Our role is more important than ever. We are speaking with our members and businesses regularly aswe continue through the pandemic. The Elgin Area Chamber has hosted dozens of complimentary webinars to provide all businesses with the information needed on strategic and tactical efforts,” Geiske said.
“Our restaurants will continue to provide dining according to the guidelines issued during the fall and winter for restaurants and bars,” Geiske said.
We can all help by keeping local restaurants in mind for delivery and pickup as winter looms on the horizon.
Find information on restaurants at these websites.
Aurora: Aurora Downtown – Outdoor Dining Guide: auroradowntown.org/ outdoor-dining-guide/; Aurora Downtown – Pick-up/Delivery Guide: auroradowntown.org/ carry-out-delivery-guide-fordowntown-aurora/; city of Aurora: www.aurora-il.org/2157/ Restaurants.
Elgin: www.elginchamber.com/food-resources includes the restaurant information, aswell as where to go if you need food assistance, where you can donate to help those in need, and where you can volunteer.
Highland Park:
cityhpil.com/businessdirectory. This list will be updated with information about curbside pickup, delivery, and outdoor dining options.
Naperville:
members.naperville.net/ directory/Search /restaurants-food-beverages145985 orwww.naperville.net/ naperville-restaurant-guide/.
“We find, that most places now are able to accommodate all variations of curbside and delivery, so this list is most likely not current,” Osborne said.