We have asked our network of city enthusiasts to look out for initiatives from their city that support local communities & businesses. Here’s a combined list of projects and businesses from Bucharest, Lisbon, Vienna, and Chicago. Have you spotted something worthwhile sharing? Join our Facebook community group as a member and happy to read your findings.

Bucharest - From tasting menus to goodie boxes

Last year, ignorant about the risks of any major event that would change our day to day life for some time, I applauded, as Chef Alex Dumitru won chef of the year at the Gault&Millau gala. He opened his restaurant, Anika, a few months later, a mere two weeks before a total lockdown forced him and his partner Andrei Popa to close their doors.

In between uncertainty and the government’s measures - changing from one day to the next at times, the two have had to reinvent their business model constantly. The lavish tasting menus turned into goods in jars that they would prepare, package, and deliver themselves, - alongside wine from their cellar, - to anyone whose palate still craved fine flavours. Later, they turned their restaurant into a grocery store.

Now, with restaurants closing indoors again (for the 3rd time), Alex, Andrei and the many talented chefs and sommeliers in Romania, are struggling to keep guests on their terraces as the weather turns cold, whilst also thinking of new turnaround ideas for their businesses. Anika have already launched their Christmas goodie boxes, made with the amazing local ingredients Chef Alex is so fond of, and the Romanian wines Andrei selects with so much passion.

Words by correspondent Ioana

Lisbon - The “A Avó veio Trabalhar” project is probably one of the best social projects ever in the Portuguese capital.

Project “Grandma came to work” – “A Avó veio Trabalhar” (@aavoveiotrabalhar) is an intergenerational creative hub where social and emotional bonds are knitted in the local community and where elderly people can just be themselves with no judgments, no prejudice but mostly without loneliness. 

Starting from Susana Antonio’s idea of combining design along with traditional knowledge and social interaction, along with Angelo Campota, a psychologist who knew this project was one of a kind to embrace, “Grandma Came to Work” is since 2014 the ultimate social experience in Lisbon, bringing together the elders but also creating a collective of people from all ages who are willing to share ideas and experiences of life.

Unfortunately social distancing and mandatory confinement due to the pandemic had also to change the “Grandma Came to Work '' operation, but not changing its core: the love and sense of belonging.
As Angelo mentions: “Thankfully we have the ability to reinvent ourselves, so during the lockdown we developed DIY kits in a way to promote (and protect) not only the mental health of our “family” but also for everyone who’s been working with us. Meanwhile we’ve reopened our doors, therefore some of the Grandmas have already returned while others keep working from home”.

One way or the other, “Grandma Came to Work” will keep creating ways of supporting the fragile fringe of Portuguese society along with all the collaborators who are willing to add value to the project. After all, the Old in the New Young! 

Words by Lisbon captain Claudia

Vienna - Support thy neighbour, make thy gin and test thy staff

Gilles opened his businesses a few years ago: Die Parfuemerie, a bar in Vienna’s hipster 7th district, serving creative cocktails and keeping a constantly buzzing atmosphere and Wolfgang Coffee, preparing flat whites and specialty coffee brews of all kinds. When Vienna went into lockdown, Gilles knew that trying to come up with solutions alone was not a recipe for survival, so together with his neighbours, a whisky store and a natural wine shop, he launched a joint delivery service.

After all, Zoom calls aren’t the same with a good glass of something you like, right? On the other hand, Gilles knew that business partnerships would be equally affected by the economic situation - so, as a next step, him and his team decided to make their own gin and vodka, which not only gives them two products that they are happy with and proud of, but that also support the local distillery they made the drinks at.

Now, to increase the safety of his team and customers, all the staff gets tested for corona on a weekly basis and, in a classic Die Parfuemerie cinema verite-style, they document that in detail on their social media.

Words by Vienna captain Ioana

Chicago - Asia On Argyle Uptown Neighborhood Supporting Local

“Asia on Argyle” sign on the L stop is one of the first thing you will notice when you arrive to “Little Vietnam.”  This street comprises of locally owned businesses, shops, restaurants, and cafés, running lengthwise Argyle between Broadway to Sheridan.

First Sip Café, Owners; Erin and Gigi Hoang are two sisters that are serving up adventurous coffee and tea drinks in their inviting ambiance café. 

Hungry diners don’t have to stroll to far off from the L stop to find good dining options. There are a dozen Pho restaurant’s along Argyle and overspill onto Broadway.  Pho 777 is one of the staples pho shops in the neighborhood also offering other traditional Vietnamese dishes. 

Ba Le Sandwich assembling tasty Banh Mi the authentic Vietnamese sandwich– serving up on their own freshly baked crusty baguettes with fresh ingredients.

Words by Chicago captain Touly

Thanks to our network for the great contributions!
Wherever you live, go and support your local today, they need you!