Cafe Owners Will Give Restaurant to Essay Contest Winner

Image via Ericka A. on Yelp

Kathy and Danny Living have owned Borrowed Earth Cafe in Downers Grove for nine years, but now they’ve decided to give their dream restaurant to the winner of a 200-word essay contest.

Contestants are asked to describe why they would like to own a restaurant, why they’re suited to be a restaurant owner and their vision for the future, according to the contest rules.

The winner will get a ready-to-run café space to create their dream restaurant. The space has 30 seats inside and 20 seats outside in a busy downtown location, right next to the historic Tivoli Theater and the Downers Grove Metra stop.

The contest winner may also receive up to $5,000 cash in start-up capital.

Essays must be submitted by Aug. 1 with a $125 entry fee, and the Livings will choose the top 10 essays. Two independent judges will review the essays and determine a winner on or before Aug. 20.

The winner will have to take over Borrowed Earth Cafe within 30 days of accepting the prize.

“One deserving, talented person with passion for food and business acumen will be able to live their dream and tell a great story,” the Livings wrote on the contest website.

They hope the winner will “pay it forward” when their time comes to move on from the restaurant.

Borrowed Earth Café has been featured on “Check, Please!” It earned the recommendation of the Michelin Guide in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The café has 3.5 stars on Yelp, with about 130 reviews.