Local Eatery Helps Small Businesses, Gets 'Community Together'

PLAINFIELD, IL — Uptown Tap & Eatery has always been a pioneer for philanthropy in the service industry with food donations to the local hospitals, but as the COVID-19 outbreak wreaked havoc on Plainfield’s small businesses, this restaurant figured out a way to go above and beyond its usual contributions.

With a background in advertising, Uptown Tap & Eatery partner Crisa Barriball decided to design T-shirts that represent the solidarity shared by the community.

"We cannot control what is happening but it is nice to be able to go beyond the negativity and focus on getting the community together," Barriball said. "So many people don’t have an income now and local stores have been affected. I kept asking myself how we could help."

The #PlainfieldStrong T-shirts have a minimalist and are available in various sizes. All of them are being sold for $20.

"This is such a quaint town and we are so proud of it that I thought it would be nice to design something that represents the Village," she said. "It was a nice opportunity to do something for all the staff that we had to let go and all those who are not putting in the hours that they usually do. It was also fun designing it and I didn’t think it would pick up so quickly!"

The T-shirts went live on the eatery’s website on April 11 and since then they have sold out three times already. Barriball said she contacted the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce who agreed to distribute 80 percent of the proceeds from the T-shirt sales to small businesses in Plainfield.

She ensured that they were printed by a local establishment as well and contacted Fresh Concept Enterprises Inc., a screen printing company in the Village. Once an order is placed, it completes them within 2-3 days.

"Once we promoted them on social media and our websites, we started getting many orders online, but mostly people wanted to buy them when they came to our restaurant to pick up food," Barriball said.

The T-shirts can be ordered online at here. They can either be shipped or picked up.

"Getting so many orders has been overwhelming but it is such a nice feeling. And for me personally, it's an extension of the relationship I have with my neighbors who are always there for each other," she said. "To see not just my neighborhood but the entire Village help is just wonderful. Sometimes I drop the T-shirts off at houses and talk to a few of the residents. It just makes them smile."

The suspension of dine-in services in Illinois has affected restaurant sales but Barriball said they are keeping their doors open seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for curbside pickups so customers have the flexibility to order food whenever they want, and also to help staff members remain employed.

"We have been hit but we are trying our best to retain all our employees," she said. "We are all in this together and this is something that will pass and every support is greatly appreciated. This is the minimum we could do to help out our community."

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