SKOKIE (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Skokie restaurants closed for Valentine’s Day due to a massive water main break are still trying to recover the business they lost.
Madeleine England said she and her staff ended up notifying residents about the break when they came into her bakery called Kneads and Wants to pick up their special Valentine’s Day croissants Friday morning.
“Some customers thought it was their own house, and they were like, ‘I’m having a water issue,’ and we told them, and they were happy to hear that because it’s a relief that you don’t have to suddenly fix something in your own house.”
Fortunately, they do their baking overnight and early in the morning, so the closure mainly hurt them Saturday and Sunday.
England said the community has been fantastic.
“I’ve had a lot of special orders. We’ve had definitely a lot of business since then. We have a lot of people who are just thankful that we’re here,” England said.
Nearby, Take Flight Spirits distillery had limited hours during the weekend that owner Carrie Cole had expected much bigger crowds for.
“We usually count on people making us a part of their plans, either with before dinner cocktails or after dinner cocktails or just a quick hangout with their friends,” Cole said.
Cole said they’re going to have fun with some new drinks like a slushy one they call “unscheduled breakdown.”
“It’s got gin, lime juice, mint and ginger syrup,” said Cole.
The village is encouraging residents to re-do Valentine's Day by making reservations for Feb. 28. The village suggests other ways to help are buying gift cards and writing online reviews for restaurants and other businesses affected.
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