Pierce Tavern Feeds Front Line Workers During Coronavirus

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The world turned upside down for Pierce Tavern owners, brother and sister Sam Vlahos and Patricia Vlahos Brown, when the coronavirus shutdown took effect. Despite having to adjust to their own struggles, the Downers Grove restaurant is still helping to provide meals for workers on the front lines during the coronavirus crisis.

Vlahos told Patch adjusting to the shutdown was like being forced to adapt to a new business model. He said, "We would of never thought something of this nature could happen, and basically had one day to shut down and figure out all logistics pertaining to takeout and curbside."

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While working with employees amid the shutdown to add phone lines, paper products and supplies for to-go orders, Vlahos and his sister wanted to make sure hospital workers and other first responders didn't fall by the wayside.

First, they partnered with local restaurants Skuddlebutts and The Foxtail to offer community gift cards for purchase to residents. Next, they tackled helping front line workers by letting customers add meals for hospital workers to their orders.

"We just did our largest one, and it was a huge success and have received many more inquires," Vlahos said, adding, "This just shows that not only us are trying to give back, but our customers are supporting us by purchasing our food and donating it to the workers! Its a win-win for both groups!"

Vlahos Brown told Patch it has been rewarding to see the response from hospital workers. She said, "To see our Facebook page with messages from them saying they were so happy to see they had received Pierce Tavern food and leave comments back to us, thanking us, it truly showed the good that us and our customers are doing to come together and feed the workers. I think once we reopen, we will have a way to honor those who were a huge part during this time within the fight."

The brother and sister duo also own Fuller House in Hinsdale and said the support they've gotten from customers during this time has been unparalleled. Vlahos Brown told Patch, "I have never seen a community support and give so much love to both our establishments during this time and to know we are here to return the favor is one of the [nicest] feelings around. Once everything is back to normal, we will be there for them as we always have been."

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