Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce introduces 'To-Go Bingo' to support local restaurants

When De Marinis Pizzeria owner Cherie Ferraro received news that her 30-year Menomonee Falls restaurant can only offer curbside pickup in response to the coronavirus pandemic, she compared it to skidding into a "brick wall."

"I am not too crazy about the unknown," she added. But she said it is helpful that the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce is supporting local businesses by sponsoring "To-Go Bingo."

Ferraro said her customers have kept supporting the restaurant, leaving tips and even hand sanitizer to help her through these unusual times.

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"Our goal is to be back in full business when everything calms down," said Ferraro.

How 'To-Go Bingo' works

Community members can download a bingo card at www.fallschamber.com. Each square features a different chamber member and local restaurant, its curbside pickup hours and phone number.

By patronizing one of the participating restaurants, players can mark that space on the card, keeping their receipts as proof of purchase. 

Once the card is complete, participants should put their card and receipts in an envelope and drop the envelope in the box outside the chamber office door, N91 W17271 Appleton Ave. 

Players may also mail their completed cards and receipts to the chamber office: Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce Inc., P.O. Box 73, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.

Players may enter as many times as they want; however, they cannot duplicate receipts. If players enter more than once, they must visit a restaurant or bar more than once.

Beginning March 30, the chamber staff will draw three winners each day, through April 30. Every winner will receive a $20 gift card to a local restaurant or bar.

"The only thing we ask of the winners is to consider waiting to use the gift cards until after the restaurant or bar is back up and running at normal capacity," said the chamber's executive director, Toni Gumina.

"To see that this bingo game has reached over 29,000 people on our chamber Facebook page has been a bright light in these challenging times," added Gumina.

'It's a big challenge'

Ferraro said one of the difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic is changing how her restaurant is run. She said her restaurant is all about relationships. People, she said, could dine in, talk to each other and have a great experience.

Curbside pickup is more of a challenge.

"It was a whole new world, but we came up with a plan, kept payroll low and limited our hours," said Ferraro. "I am not too crazy about delivery because we cannot see our customers."

She has had to lay off staff members — some of whom were there for more than a decade. "It was terrible," she said.

Owner of Menomonee Falls' Alley's Bistro, Rod Zimmerman, said his business has dropped by 50% to 60%.

"We still have a steady stream of people, but we just can't match that number (of customers before the coronavirus pandemic) on a regular bases," said Zimmerman. He said that before the coronavirus concerns, he served 400 to 600 people a day.

"We just can't match the number on a regular basis," said Zimmerman. "It is just not that feasible. It's a big challenge." 

'We are trying to be creative'

Zimmerman said he and his wife, Michelle, planned ways to continue to serve the community that also make sense from a business standpoint. He said he revised the hours to be open during prime hours and popular times for customers.

"We became more active on social media and are engaged with our guests," said Zimmerman. "We enjoy that our guests keep coming back. It really comes down to serving the community."

He also said he is trying to package food that is good for customers to take home. For instance, he serves homemade granola in bigger packages for customers to enjoy as a family. "We know our guests like that," he said.

"We are trying to be creative," he added.

He also said that he is selling dessert items in groups of three and four and soups in quarts.  

Zimmerman said it is possible the challenges could make businesses stronger.

"I think anytime you face challenges, and you take the right approach, you can learn from it," said Zimmerman. "We can be a stronger and more united business."

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KozlowiczCathy.