On Sunday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order temporarily banning indoor service at bars and restaurants. On Monday, Homewood launched a marketing campaign to help local restaurants cope with the shock to their businesses.
Takeout Takeover lists 17 food establishments with links to their websites or social media pages so customers can see takeout menus, hours and procedures.
“Our local businesses are going the extra mile to accommodate our community while we all do our best to keep ourselves sane during this trying time,” according to a statement on the village’s website. “So what can we do for them, you ask? Order out and order often! It is a challenging time for all of us, especially our beloved local businesses. Now is the time to show them some love, loyalty and support. Order meals, gifts, essentials and more by virtually shopping local.”
Takeout Takover participants:
- 5th Quarter Press Room and Eatery
- Asian Harbor
- Aurelio’s Pizza
- Balagio Ristorante & Banquets
- Cilantro Cocina Mexicana
- Coldstone Creamery
- Culture
- Domino’s Pizza
- Epiq Nutrition
- Gloria Jean’s
- Juancho’s Tacos
- Maple Tree Inn
- Pop’s Italian Beef
- Rabid Brewing
- Redbird Café
- TwistedQ BBQ
- Vida Tacos
One participating restaurant, Maple Tree Inn, 18849 Dixie Highway, posted a news release Tuesday announcing the restaurant has begun taking carry-out orders.
Owners Katie and Erich Wennberg unveiled a plan they were saving for the warmer weather but was needed now.
Maple Tree Inn owners and staff have been working with local leaders, health authorities and the Illinois Restaurant Association to prepare “a rigid procedure for call-in and pick-up service” designed to keep customers from standing in line, while remaining six feet apart and inside the restaurant’s entrance for only minutes at a time.
There is no delivery service at this time.
“First and foremost, we want to protect the health of our customers and our own staff,” Erich Wennberg said. “This a fluid situation and we are doing everything we’re told by the experts while creating opportunities to get meals to residents in our community.
“We have retrained and refocused all of our career servers to provide an exceptional carry-out experience.”
He encouraged customers to tip their servers as they normally would.
“We applaud the Maple Tree Inn’s ingenuity and straightforward plan in response to the pandemic impacting the entire state and our community,” said Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld. “People should remember we are all in this together.”
Stanchions with signage will be in place to create a queue up line and designate the proper 6-foot distance between customers. Dining-in restrictions prevent anyone from waiting inside the restaurant for their food.
The Maple Tree Inn patrons who have dining-in reservations during March are encouraged to reschedule those reservations through:
www.opentable.com/r/maple-tree-inn-homewood.
In Flossmoor, Dunning’s Market, Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery and The Bistro on Sterling are offering carry-out service.
The village Public Works Department placed barricades in front of all three establishments to reserve two parking spots for people to park when picking up orders.
Maureen Mader, owner of Dunning’s, said the reserved spots were a big help and thanked the village for taking action to help local businesses.