Northbrook Chamber names Business Award Winners: Grill House, Saf-T-Gard, Gail Eisenberg

The Northbrook Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its 2022 Business Awards, recognizing local businesses and individuals who have made unique contributions and achievements. Grill House has been named Northbrook Business of the Year in honor of its excellence in business practices and customer service. Saf-T-Gard received the award for Corporate Citizen of the Year in recognition of its outstanding support of the local community. Finally, Gail Eisenberg is honored as Chamber Volunteer of the Year for her above-and-beyond service as an ambassador for the organization.

The awards will be presented at the Chamber's annual meeting, scheduled for Monday, March 7, at the Hilton Chicago-Northbrook. Tickets to the event are available on the Chamber website, NorthbrookChamber.org.

"Our award winners represent the qualities of dedication, hard work and community spirit that we all appreciate and admire," states Chamber President Tensley Garris. "We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments with the entire Chamber community."

Business of the Year: Grill House

It doesn't always take a long time for a business to become a local favorite. Grill House may be a fairly recent addition to Northbrook's restaurant scene, but it has built an outstandingly loyal customer base through their multiplatform marketing, community outreach, and something-for-everyone menu. Their success in navigating the challenges of the pandemic offers lessons for all kinds of businesses.

Owner Nick Drivas has a deep personal history in the restaurant business. His father owned Nick's Gyros in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood, and Nick was helping to clear tables by the time he was in kindergarten. Eventually the family relocated to Northbrook, opening a new Nick's Gyros at Dunsten Plaza; Nick attended Glenbrook North while still working in the family business.

"I was fortunate to gain experience from the ground up and gain a deep understanding of what makes a restaurant successful," says Nick.

While his early career took Nick to other locations, including his Backyard Grill restaurant in Highland Park, his Northbrook roots had established a longtime desire to open his own restaurant here. That goal became a reality in 2017 with the opening of Grill House in the White Plains Shopping Center on Dundee Road.

"We were always looking for the right opportunity to open a fast casual, family friendly restaurant in Northbrook," recalls Nick. "When this space became available I thought it was the perfect Northbrook location, with all the businesses across the street and the visibility being on the corner of the shopping center. We were very excited."

The location enjoyed brisk lunchtime business from nearby offices during Grill House's first years, and also developed a growing catering operation with both family and business customers. However, the shutdown of offices in spring 2020 forced Nick and his team to reinvent their business model with a creative, comprehensive strategy. Tactics that kept the restaurant thriving included:

Dynamic Marketing: Grill House utilized a variety of marketing options to reach customers and develop repeat business. In addition to direct mail coupons, the restaurant worked to build an audience through frequent Facebook and Instagram posts featuring appetizing photos. Grill House was also an early adopter of text message marketing as a way to reach customers with information about daily specials.

"Social media has been such a big part of reaching out to the community," notes Nick. "Everybody was so responsive to our specials on Facebook. And our text program with NorthShore Loyalty really helped us out. We were able to text our customers about the specials of the day, they were forwarding texts on to their neighbors, and people were calling us to be added to the program."

"Grill House has one of the largest followings in our text program for good reason," says Ron Goldblatt, NorthShore Loyalty. "His wide assortment of options appeals to a large audience of individuals and families, and provides a great value for his customers."

Creative Use of Outdoor Space: When restaurants began offering curbside pickup in 2020, Grill House recognized that their location was especially well suited to this option. A side entrance near the restaurant's checkout counter provided quick access to a long aisle where customers could queue up. The option's popularity has made it a permanent element of Grill House's business.

In addition, Grill House established a large outdoor dining area in a parking area on the north side of the building.

"The space there was really helpful and allowed for social distancing," notes Nick. The success of picnic-style dining in 2020 and 2021 led to a more permanent arrangement for outdoor dining. "We've extended the patio so people won't be sitting out in the parking lot as much. It'll be landscaped very nicely in the summer, and we'll have added lighting."

Menu Additions for Pandemic Demands: With families eating more meals together at home during the pandemic, Grill House developed carryout "Family Packs" that were both affordable and easy to serve. A typical family pack feeds four to five people with an entree, salad, and additional side dishes. The restaurant also obtained a beer and wine license for customers to enjoy on-site or with their carryout order.

Thanks to its creative pivots, Grill House has been able to successfully navigate the challenges of the pandemic. "I'm very thankful that we were able to maintain all our employees during the pandemic," reflects Nick, who credits his staff for their personal sacrifices. "My employees were like many essential workers in every industry who worked through the pandemic. They put themselves in harm's way providing meals and helping the community. 2020 was survival mode. I'm just fortunate that we were able to keep on pace and keep the business moving forward."

At the same time, Grill House has built a reputation as a generous supporter of people and organizations in need. In the early days of the pandemic, Nick provided food for first responders and hospital workers. When schools were closed, he distributed more than 1,000 meals for children who normally would receive free lunches at school. The restaurant also hosts frequent "Dine and Donate" programs, providing a generous portion of a given day's sales to local organizations.

"It brings the community together when we have donate days," says Nick. "Northbrook is such a charitable community and I enjoy watching people come together for a good cause. It feels good to give back."

As the restaurant industry and other businesses gradually approach a post-COVID future, Nick acknowledges that Grill House will be permanently changed by the lessons of this period. "You have to adapt to changes, and once customers become used to it and enjoy that service as a business owner you have to deliver," he says. "That's what we want to do, just keep up with the service our customers expect."

Corporate Citizen: Saf-T-Gard

For many Northbrook residents, Saf-T-Gard International Inc. may not be a household name even after 43 years as a local business. However, Village leaders and area charities know that Saf-T-Gard and the family behind it are always ready to lend a hand. Their commitment to the community has grown even stronger during the pandemic, making them a deserving choice for the 2022 Corporate Citizen of the Year.

Saf-T-Gard's story begins in 1936, when Leo and Lillian Rivkin launched the Latex Glove Manufacturing Company in a Chicago loft using shared balloon-factory equipment. Today, the business is in its fourth generation of family ownership, led by CEO Richard Rivkin and his son, President/COO Loren Rivkin. The company moved to Northbrook in 1979 and was renamed Saf-T-Gard in 1989, reflecting the business's expansion into a wide range of workplace safety products. The company manufactures its own proprietary brands of safety apparel and also distributes additional products from hundreds of global brands, providing head-to-toe protection for workers in all types of industrial settings.

Throughout its decades in Northbrook, Saf-T-Gard has built strong connections with the business community and local leadership. The company joined the Chamber as soon as it moved to Northbrook, and both Richard and his father Norman served on the Chamber Board, with Richard serving as Chair in 1999. Saf-T-Gard also partnered with the Village in unique ways. Before occupying its current building, Saf-T-Gard allowed its temporarily vacant building to be used for police dog training, and also accommodated the construction of the Village's second water tower in 2011 behind Saf-T-Gard's Sky Harbor property.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, the Village again turned to the company for help, putting its supply chain to use in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. At a time when face coverings were the primary protection - and also were mostly unavailable in stores - then-Village President Sandy Frum contacted Richard Rivkin with an ambitious plan to give out free face covers to the community.

"We got a call from Sandy asking, 'How fast can you get 25,000 masks?'" recalls Richard. "We're in the PPE business. We made it happen."

As Sandy Frum remembers, Richard and Saf-T-Gard "stepped up without hesitation. Within a matter of days, the Village had in hand thousands of masks and was able to distribute them to residents and businesses at a time when masks were very hard to find." The masks were handed out in April 2020 at a massive drive-through event at the former Grainger property, followed by a second distribution at Northbrook Court.

"We're glad that the Village leaders knew that they could call on us," remarks Loren. "That comes from the relationships that have been built over time. The North Shore is the community we live and work in, and we want to help keep people safe."

More recently, Saf-T-Gard is taking action to increase employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, as often these individuals struggle to find opportunities to learn and develop vocational skills. Richard describes a "light-bulb moment" when he attended a reception at Cafe Voca, the North Suburban YMCA's snack bar that is staffed by young adults with autism.

"I knew that we could identify tasks in our operation that could be performed by people with certain developmental disabilities," notes Richard. Working with specialized employment counselors at Glenkirk, Saf-T-Gard has so far hired three individuals for part-time positions. "It's been a win-win all around. They've been warmly welcomed and respected as co-workers, plus it frees up some of our other staff to do more advanced work."

Local charities have benefited from Saf-T-Gard's consistent support. Every year during the holiday season, the company donates to local nonprofits in honor of its employees and clients. In 2021 that list included the Northern Illinois Food Bank and The Greater Chicago Food Depository. Since 2020, the Northbrook Farmers Market has been made safer with hand sanitizer donated by the company.

Community involvement is also a daily priority for members of the Rivkin family. In addition to his past service with the Chamber, Richard has been a Rotarian for more than 20 years with leadership roles at the local and district level, including President of the Northbrook Rotary Club from 2009-10 and District Governor for Rotary District 6440 from 2016-17. His Rotary involvement has included international service trips, usually with his wife and fellow Northbrook Rotarian Helen, to Guatemala, India, and Nigeria, with programs that support education, clean water, and polio immunization. Richard has also been instrumental in supporting Rotary of Northbrook during the pandemic, providing essential technical assistance that allowed the club to hold Zoom and hybrid meetings.

That service ethic is carrying forward to the next generation of Rivkins. Loren's wife Jill is one of the founding Board members of Gratitude Generation, a Deerfield-based nonprofit and Chamber member. Gratitude Generation's mission is to instill gratitude in future generations through education and service by creating hands-on service projects for children and families, providing original elementary-school curriculum (GLOW! = Gratitude Lights Our World), and youth leadership training. Loren and Jill's daughter serves on the Teen Board for the organization.

Quietly supporting the community in myriad ways, Saf-T-Gard epitomizes the ideal of corporate citizenship. "Not everybody knows us because we don't have a big retail presence," reflects Richard, "but we feel very connected to this community and are glad to share our time, talent and treasure. It's who we are and what we do."

Volunteer of the Year: Gail Eisenberg

Gail Eisenberg - and her famous brownies - are among the most recognizable and popular attendees at any Chamber event. As one of the Chamber's most engaged Ambassadors, Gail is a reliable presence welcoming new members and guests at First Friday breakfasts, Women in Business lunches, and Business After Hours. She also carries that positive message to potential members throughout the community. The Volunteer of the Year Award acknowledges her enthusiasm and outreach on behalf of the organization.

Gail and her husband Jack first joined the Chamber in 2014 with their family business, Gail's Brownies. This premium dessert company produces and distributes over 15 varieties of brownies, cookies, and dessert bars, all developed from Gail's personal recipes, in its fully-certified production facility. Launched in 2004 as a supplier of desserts to restaurants and retail outlets, Gail's Brownies was expanding into the corporate gift market at the time it joined the Chamber. Networking was a vital part of growing their business, and Gail saw the size and diversity of the Northbrook Chamber as a great asset.

"I love networking, and the Northbrook Chamber was the biggest on the North Shore," notes Gail. "The Chamber gives you great resources, education, and events to grow your business." For example, Gail made a Chamber connection with Giordano's Restaurants - a relationship that established Gail's Brownies as the top add-on item for the chain's online business.

Gail quickly became one of the organization's most involved participants, volunteering every year for the Golf Outing and Auction & Taste committees. Her brownies became a standout treat, donated as dessert at events or as highly valued raffle prizes. Gail then became an Ambassador, helping new members make the most of their experience. She is a consistent presence at all Chamber networking events as well as ribbon cutting celebrations throughout Northbrook.

"I like helping other people acclimate to the Chamber," explains Gail. "When I first started my business, so many people helped me and I really enjoy paying it back. I like helping the members of the Chamber connect with other members. It makes me feel really good when I have made a good connection for someone and it helps their business grow."

In addition to her family business, Gail worked for several years as the advertising representative for 22nd Century Media and later, the Daily Herald. In working with area advertisers and new businesses, Gail frequently made referrals that became new Chamber members. (She recently made the decision to leave her publishing role in order to devote her full energy to the booming brownie business.)

"Gail has been an outstanding referral source for the Chamber," notes Membership Director Kathi Quinn. "She has shared the benefits of membership and helped connect us with so many new businesses. On top of that, she goes above and beyond as an Ambassador in terms of her consistency, enthusiasm, and generosity."

"I really believe in the Chamber and the value it brings to businesses," responds Gail. "It presents so many opportunities for members to grow businesses and form relationships. This Chamber has given me priceless lasting relationships, both professional and personal."