ACS Supports Local Businesses
To show our appreciation for all of the hard work of the ACS team during a challenging year, we gave each team member a gift card and asked them to use it to support local small businesses. We wanted to share some of these stories in appreciation for all the small businesses that make up the foundation of our communities.
Drew:
Jen and I used our gift card to order takeout at two of our favorite restaurants here in Brooklyn. The first night we ordered some pasta from our favorite Italian place here in Brooklyn. Gino’s (https://www.ginosbayridge.com) always provides some fantastic food and we had a great Xmas eve dinner along with a bottle of red wine. Quick tip, they never have pasta with simply garlic and oil on the menu, but they will make it for you anytime you ask. Later on in the week, we ordered some Middle Eastern cuisine at Tanoreen (https://tanoreen.com/), another fantastic restaurant here in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn (I get the lentil soup, every single time). Cheers!
Susan:
My family used the gift card to celebrate the end of 2020 and my son’s 8th birthday at Smashinit402 (www.smashinit402.com). I never thought it would be so much fun to break stuff but taking a baseball bat to old computer hardware and bottles led to lots of laughs and excitement. My kids were so excited that I let them destroy things!
Kelley:
Because we weren’t able to travel home for the holidays, I used the gift card at The Butcher Block LV (https://thebutcherblocklv.com) to recreate the Christmas Eve dinner of beef tenderloin traditionally prepared by Dylan’s grandmother. I was unsure of what size and type of cut I needed, but the employees at The Butcher Block LV were all extremely helpful at answering my many questions. The dinner turned out great and it helped make this crazy year feel a little more like normal.
Myrna:
Thank you, ACS for the wonderful gift! We used our GC to take our family to Paulie's (https://jhpaulies.com) which is a fantastic Italian steakhouse in Jackson, Wyoming for New Year's Eve dinner. The restaurant is a hidden gem located underneath Jackson's Cowboy Bar. We had an amazing charcuterie board with pheasant and bison sausages, and I had a delicious lasagna for dinner. Chef Paulie made his rounds to ensure everything was to everyone's liking. We will definitely be visiting the restaurant the next time we return!
Heather:
We used our lovely gift card from ACS to score some baby gear at Swaddle (https://swaddleonline.com ) ahead of our third girl arriving later this winter. Pacifiers, bibs, teethers, and an absolutely beautiful leather mat will all come in handy very soon!
Russ:
My sister and her husband are the innovative owners of Wasting Arrows (http://wastingarrows.com) here in Reno, Nevada. Wasting Arrows is an indoor archery range and pro shop. They host events, archery tournaments, and support athletes in the Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Program. Pandemic restrictions have been especially impactful on their business. One of Wasting Arrows’ young JOAD archers has been working toward paying off his competition bow. The gift card provided by ACS Ventures went to this young man to be used at Wasting Arrows.
Chad:
We used our gift card to visit two local restaurants in Newtown, PA. One night we got takeout from Isaac Newton’s (https://isaacnewtons.com), where you can create an entire meal tapas-style from the range of appetizers. Personal favorites include the tater tots poutine and the buffalo cauliflower. We then had dinner at The Greystone (https://greystonefinefood.com), an excellent choice for special events. Their menu changes seasonally, so right now the house-made gnocchi sausage Bolognese and shrimp risotto are the definition of comfort food.
Jaime:
I used the gift card at two small, local businesses. First, I did some shopping at a small boutique shop where my daughter works (Past and Presents) to purchase a few items for our first granddaughter who will be born in March of this year. And second, we took my son and a couple of his friends to a specialty dessert place (https://iamcafe.co) that serves shaved ice cream and honey toast. My son unfortunately tested positive for COVID shortly before Christmas, so he was very excited to be able to leave the house after his quarantine period was over and spend some time with friends (and parents!). The dessert was very unique (and huge portions!), but very good and we were all thankful to have had the opportunity to get out and try something new.
Deb:
My family and I are using our gift card at Boyerts Greenhouse & Farm (https://boyerts.com), a family-owned and operated delightful gardening center in Medina, Ohio. We are buying fruit trees (cherry and peach) to plant in our front yard. We look forward to many summers of cherries and peaches. I’ve heard that planting fruit trees in your front yard is a good way to meet more neighbors, and we’re looking forward to that too! Thank you, ACS, for your generous gift.
