Nick's Receives $25K Grant, Business Looking Up

's up and down fortunes took an upward swing recently when they were named the recipient of Intuit Inc.’s “Love a Local Business” small business grant program.

The Crystal Lake pizza pub received word in November that a frequent guest had nominated them for the $25,000 grant.

“We’ve turned a corner financially, and with Intuit’s generosity, I can now refocus my attention on continuing to hire the right people and growing our company,” Nick's Founder and CEO Nick Sarillo said.

Sarillo created headlines in September when he sent out an email to longtime customers, asking them to help save his business, which, he said, would be going under if things didn’t change soon.

"We overbuilt and overspent, and then we didn’t cut fast enough or hard enough when sales started to go downhill," wrote Sarillo in the email to his customers. “The issue is primarily with our Elgin restaurant, but because we are one company, the failure of Elgin will likely impact (the restaurant in) Crystal Lake as well, depending on the choices our bank makes.”

The email was received positively by most but some business owners in town criticized Sarillo for asking the community for help.

Sarillo credits the community’s support for helping his business get back on track.

According to an email sent by Nick's, the pizza pub is now a finalist to win a grand prize worth an additional $25,000. Judges will select a company that best embodies the characteristics of a small business that has made a positive impact in its community and with its customers, staff and business associates.

Intuit Inc.’s Love a Local Business competition lets fans — including customers, vendors, employees and the community — determine who deserves some “love” in the form of small business grants.