Businesses in Historic Downtown Long Grove Working Together During COVID-19 Crisis, Launch #LovinLongGrove Campaign

When times are tough, Long Grove rises to the occasion and stands strong together. Although everyone is feeling the constraints of COVID-19, the business community in historic downtown Long Grove has united in keeping the engine running though a new campaign called #LovinLongGrove. Merchants in this historic district are getting creative to continue to provide service to the local community and support first responders. The list below provides some key examples. For more, visit the visitor's blog on www.LongGrove.org.

Shop, Pop & Go:

The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association has transformed www.LongGrove.org into a one-stop business resource during the COVID-19 crisis. Business updates are posted daily and include things like merchant specials, hours of operation, menus, curbside carryout/delivery details and other information on how to support the community. The HDLGBA has also created the Shop, Pop & Go campaign:

1. SHOP online or call to place your orders.

2. Drive up and POP your trunk. Orders are placed safely in your vehicle without contact.

3. GO home to enjoy and keep #LovinLongGrove.

Ma & Pa's Candy:

Everyone still needs candy, whether for their own comfort or a special gift for a loved one. As such, Long Grove's beloved candy emporium, Ma & Pa's (www.maandpascandy.com), launched a candy curbside pickup initiative and is offering free local delivery to make purchasing convenient and safe for their patrons. A big part of what Ma & Pa's provides to people is happiness. Stepping into their store is like "stepping back in time - back to our childhoods and fun memories." To put that sentiment into focus, owners Jeff and Terri Taylor decided to turn a negative - the cancellation of Long Grove's annual Egg Hunt - into a positive by bringing the Egg Hunt to community members' homes for Easter. They created this inaugural custom Egg Hunt at Home promotion for their customers and the response was overwhelming. Ma & Pa's never received so many calls/texts/ messages. They spent hours upon hours stuffing eggs, building baskets, and on Easter Eve, working into the wee hours planting the goodies in the yards of all the individual purchasers. The campaign was such a success, giving newly minted home-working parents some needed relief for the holiday, that Ma & Pa's has decided to develop similar promotional ideas for Mother's Day and other occasions.

Buffalo Creek Brewing:

Long Grove's renowned brewer, Buffalo Creek Brewing (www.buffalocreekbrewing.com), has created the Long Grove Survival Kit campaign - providing Long Grove essentials in a one-stop-shop. The Survival Kits are available for curbside pickup at the brewery on Saturdays. Owner Mike Marr wanted to support the first responders at Long Grove Fire Department so these packages can also be purchased for them and delivered with a thank-you note. To place an order, customers need to call the taproom at (847) 821-6140 or email at orders@buffalocreekbrewing.com (contents are changed weekly, see website for details). The cost per survival kit is $99 and includes many handcrafted items from historic downtown Long Grove merchants. This week's Survival Kits contain: two 4-packs of fresh Buffalo Creek Brewing beer, a BBQ dinner from Smokin T's Barbecue, retro candy from Ma & Pa's, a chocolate sampler pack from Long Grove Confectionery, flavored olive oil from The Olive Tap, and seasoned popcorn from Signature Popcorn.

Enzo and Lucia Ristorante:

Long Grove's beloved Italian eatery, Enzo and Lucia Ristorante (www.enzoandlucia.com), decided to single and provide Meals for Healthcare Heroes at assisted living facilities because they too are on the front lines. With the elderly community in assisted living facilities now isolated from their loved ones, they have come to depend on those responsible for their care. Meanwhile, the pandemic has caused some to call in sick fearing for their safety. This combination has put an enormous strain on the system and Enzo and Lucia's recognizes the heroic efforts the workforce at these facilities is exhibiting in keeping elderly loved ones safe and happy. As such, the restaurant provided dinner and lunch for all staff recently at the Arboria Assisted Living facility of Long Grove. Next up, Enzo and Lucia's will be providing lunch to staff members at L'Auberge Assisted Living Facility in Lake Zurich.

Long Grove Village Tavern:

As the owner of Illinois' oldest restaurant and tavern, Long Grove Village Tavern (www.villagetavernoflonggrove.com), the first thing that came to Mary Ann Ullrich's mind after the shelter-in-place took effect last month was expressing gratitude to her local patrons that support them with carry out orders as well as with their generosity in tipping too. Village Tavern's customers, in an effort to help support their kitchen staff, are tipping 30% to 50%. Mary Ann also appreciates friends of the Tavern's that are donating their time to help her restaurant take orders over the phone and getting them out to customers. Wearing masks and gloves and practicing safe procedures, the volunteers are not only taking care of curbside pickup duty, but they are also giving their tips to the Tavern's staff and working together as a family. "Sometimes tough times bring out the best in people," smiles Mary Ann.

Long Grove Confectionery:

Nationally-renowned chocolatier Long Grove Confectionery launched its www.curbsidechocolate.com campaign April 1 to accommodate its loyal customers and a community that is eager to support local businesses. During the crisis, Long Grove Confectionery has been shipping its small-town magic throughout the country, helping spark smiles. In addition, the growing strain on medical heroes, food pantries and nonprofits having to increase their services while simultaneously seeing a reduction in fundraising gave the Confectionery an opportunity to help. Long Grove Confectionery partnered with Caring Women's Connection, a local 501c3 that helps women and children in need, to donate $10 of every sale of its newest treat, the Brave Betty (a milk chocolate bunny with a surgical mask). Since the promotion began, the Brave Betty has been shipped to medical heroes in New York, New Mexico, Virginia, Michigan, and beyond - and is selling like hot cakes all in effort to help a worthy cause.