Dining Together, Apart
Dining together, apart…
As the temperatures continue to drop, we are happy to announce an innovative, outdoor dining solution: Dining Together, Apart. This was made possible by WCA’s partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association and Stella Artois.
Dining Together, Apart invites Chicagoans to dine al fresco comfortably and safely well into colder months with 6 domes and 15 greenhouse-like pods. Beginning on Oct. 16, the Dine Out on Fulton Market will feature these structures.
In Fulton Market, the pods were debuted with a temporary chalk street mural designed by famed artist Shepard Fairey’s Studio One to bring an artful approach to social distancing and collective-yet-safe dining. Originally commissioned by Stella Artois to encourage social distancing in East London, the 3,840 sq ft mural will be reimagined in Chicago-based artists.
“We’re very excited to see the winterized outdoor dining experience come to life in the heart of one of Chicago’s most celebrated dining destinations,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association. “The West Central Association and Stella Artois program is an innovative step towards keeping Chicago restaurants afloat during these challenging times. With applications opening Monday, October 19, we are also grateful to Stella Artois for their timely contribution to the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. This donation will provide direct, critical relief to industry workers facing financial crisis as a result of COVID-19.”
To further help restaurants nationwide, a portion of proceeds from all Stella Artois purchased on premise of the program will go to the James Beard Foundation to support industry relief efforts across the U.S. during these challenging times.
“We’re excited to have the West Central Association and Illinois Restaurant Association in partnership with Stella Artois help our restaurants with this innovative project,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “The continuation of socially distanced and safe outdoor dining – through our remarkably successful Expanded Outdoor Dining program and structures like these dining pods – helps bring a little bit of joy and normalcy to all of us while we face these extraordinary times together. I look forward to Stella’s continued support of outdoor dining structures as we expand projects like these in other Chicago neighborhoods.”
All photos and video are from Stella Artois / Flightless Bird Creative / Kevin Conway
