Patronizing local businesses may be convenient and may also be an important source of support for our local tax base. Far more compelling, however, is the satisfaction that comes from doing business with people who are proud of their work and dedicated to their customers on a personal basis. Here is why I try to stay in Oak Park and environs for my needs whenever I can:
Jim and Pete’s (on North Avenue near Thatcher in Elmwood Park) has been one of my family’s favorite restaurants since we moved to Oak Park more than 19 years ago. It serves outstanding Italian food and manages to maintain an atmosphere that is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Our children would not allow going to any other restaurant when it is time to celebrate major events and accomplishments. A few months ago, I ordered my usual glass of cabernet for dinner (Jim and Pete’s always does a nice job of selecting good, affordable house wines). Something was wrong, though, so I asked the waitress about the wine. She had mistakenly given my some chianti (I don’t much like chianti, I guess), and the mortified owner straightened out the error. He also spent the rest of my dinner filling my glass with the cabernet after every few sips. He was not about to let me think he did not care about getting things right.
A while back, I wanted to buy some pumpkin pie at the Villager (Chicago Avenue near Harlem). Seeing none, I asked Butch, the owner, about it, and he said he would order some. A couple of days later, I went back and asked for it. Butch smashed his palm into his forehead and said he had forgotten to order some but that he would get right on it. An hour later, two pumpkin pies were delivered to my front door. If you think I was allowed to pay for these pies, then you don’t understand the point of this article.
A couple of years ago, one of my tires was low. It being a Sunday, I went to one of the big tire places, which informed me that the tire was not salvageable and that, to balance the new tire, I needed to buy another one. The cost? $250. I filled the lame tire with air and took it to Jim at Citgo (corner of Lake and Ridgeland Avenues) the next day. He patched the tire for about $15, and I have safely driven about 15,000 more miles on the “hopeless” tires. I will get new tires from Jim when he tells me I need them. In fact, I do whatever he says to do with my cars. I pay no attention to my cars’ service needs; I just take them to Jim every three months or so for an oil change and tell him to do whatever needs to be done. Experience has taught me that his recommendations are honest and that he will do the job right.
Do these seem like trivial examples? Not when you add them up throughout the years. Like many Oak Parkers, I could go on and on about similar gratifying experiences with our small business proprietors. They are out to make a living, but they understand that the pride and integrity with which they do their work is the foundation of their success. Next time you are fixing to head for Oak Brook, think hard about how you might fulfill your needs locally. Even if you pay a tad more in the short run, you will probably save money in the long run. You will also be treated like the valued customer that you are.