“Support local restaurants. Eat local. If you are dining out, dine in town.” The late Judy Corcoran made this plea during a speech at our awards banquet in January, and her words have stuck with me. My job is to do everything I can to support local businesses and so Judy’s plea, is also mine. When choosing catering for an event, or a spot to host a coffee or lunch meeting, I always look to the chamber’s list of member-owned businesses first. Outside of work, I enjoy frequenting these same businesses with my family and love seeing the familiar faces of the staff and other patrons.

Supporting local restaurants isn’t just about enjoying a meal. These establishments are more than just places to eat, they are hubs for social connection where people from the community gather to share good food and company. Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse is a great example of this. Their motto “Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends” is proudly painted on their wall and it’s a spot in town that you can almost guarantee you’ll see a familiar face every time you visit. This sense of community is essential for building a strong local identity and promoting a feeling of belonging.

 The incredible owners and staff of our local restaurants are deeply embedded in the community. They build relationships with their customers that go above and beyond mere transactions. Several of our local businesses participate in a food rescue program that donates food that would otherwise be thrown out, to Norwalk families in need. As a chamber, we’ve been proud to partner with local restaurant owners to cater various meals, including our annual luncheon for the school’s newest teachers.

Another significant advantage of supporting local restaurants is the economic impact it has on the community. Our local restaurants are primarily small and independently owned and generate revenue that stays within our community. They create jobs ranging from cooks and servers to managers and support staff, offering opportunities for residents and contributing to a lower unemployment rate.

Local restaurants often prioritize using fresh, locally sourced ingredients which directly impacts the quality of their dishes and menu options. One example is Pyra Pizzaria who uses Graziano Brother’s sausage from Des Moines! Patrons can enjoy a more unique dining experience from our local restaurants compared to bigger (or chain) restaurants in the metro.

You can feel good knowing that when you choose to dine locally, you’re actively participating in the economic prosperity of our community and likely helping a local entrepreneur and their family live out their dream. I encourage you to check out the chamber website (www.norwalkchamber.org) to find a list of chamber member owned restaurants and businesses next time you’re making plans to dine out!