Trattoria Demi, woman-owned for almost 30 years

Although COVID-19 closed the doorways of lots of organizations in Evanston, and the hope for a new chapter has ushered in new espresso shops, zero-squander suppliers and bars, just one put in Evanston has remained continuous – Trattoria Demi.

On Sherman Avenue you are going to come across the Italian restaurant that has been in Evanston for almost 30 years. Trattoria Demi began in 1993 all due to the fact Denise Sieja, the operator and co-founder, enjoys Italian foods.

Sieja would go to Trattoria Peppino in Elmwood Park, a place that gives reliable Italian delicacies. But, Sieja wondered, what if she could have her individual very little slice of Italy in Evanston? By way of mutual close friends, Sieja and her boyfriend at the time started setting up and grew to become part of a now dissolved cafe team. Sooner or later they expanded Trattoria Peppino to Evanston.

At initial, they had been counter-provider, but friends were being not interested because they required to sit down and get pleasure from their foods. But due to the fact the peak of the pandemic, Sieja states, quite a few company are picking decide on-up or shipping and delivery.

In the just about a few decades since Trattoria Demi has existed, Sieja said COVID-19 posed the most important menace by much to the organization closing.

“It was these kinds of an unknown,” she reported. “We didn’t know the extent and to say frightening is just an understatement. I assistance my spouse and children via that restaurant, I wait tables – I am a worker, not just an owner. I am fingers-on in every single way possible.”

Sieja explained Trattoria Demi was blessed. Evanstonians rallied all over the restaurant and they only experienced to permit two component-time dishwashers go.

With or without the need of COVID-19, becoming a lady-owned small business has its obstacles. Simply because Sieja is on the floor carrying an apron, she claims she is typically mistaken for a waitress. There have been circumstances in which salespeople or clients inquire to talk to the supervisor, and when she states they can speak to her, they reiterate no, it must be the supervisor.