'Mega Lottery' Has $9,000 In Gift Certificates Up For Grabs

CHICAGO — Last year, the iconic S&T Provisions pizza set-up shop on 111th Street in Mount Greenwood caught the South Side by storm with its legendary scavenger hunts. But with social distancing firmly in place due to the spread of the new coronavirus, those highly fun and popular events are a no go for now.

Instead, S&T Owner Brian Giaretta has organized what's being called "the biggest raffle the South Side of Chicago has ever seen." And it will all take place to help keep afloat 30 small businesses in the Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park neighborhoods that are dealing with significant struggles amid the coronavirus outbreak and the "stay-at-home" order issued more than a week ago across Illinois.

The effort started when Giaretta rounded up 30 local businesses to each put up a $300 gift certificate to create the prize pool worth $9,000. The certificates aren't redeemable until Jan. 1, 2021, however, which Giaretta said will "allow them to raise capital now without any additional financial burden."

Then, raffle tickets will be sold online here, only from April 4 until April 26, at $10 apiece. The hope is for people to buy as many as they can, and all that money raised will help the 30 businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic that has hit small businesses especially hard.

"The intent, is to literally save many other businesses from closing their doors forever," Giaretta said.

Giaretta will then pick two winners on April 26, both of whom will be awarded 15 $300 gift certificates "to local businesses they already know and love."

All money raised will be split evenly among the 30 businesses participating.

Gift certificates up for grabs include ones from Cork and Kerry, Diggity Dogs, O’Rourke's Office, Barraco's Pizza, Bacon and Jam, Shrader's Goods, Running Excels, Baron's Shoes, Swanson's Deli, Chicago Lock Box, Barre It All Fitness, A Relaxed You, All Your Dreams Travel LLC, La Fiesta, Wonderburger, Amplify 7, Hippo's, Nicole Marie Salon, Lawlor's Bar, The Plug T-shirt Store, Joseph's Restaurant and Bar, Scissor Hands Salon, Gyro Grill, Above & Beyond Salon & Spa, Kean Gas Station, La Chic Boutique, South Side Irish Imports, Cutrone Barbershop, Loquacious Culinary Events and Marlo Salon.

Although S&T is hosting this event, Giaretta said "we will not be taking a cut of the capital."

"We are still operational and see that many of our friends and peers need every dollar that we can generate," he said. "All of the other businesses will split the raised capital evenly across the board."

Good Deeds In The 19th Ward Amid Coronavirus Shutdown:

• Realtor Buys Restaurant Gift Cards, Gives Them Away
• BAPA, Franconello Deliver Free Pasta Meals To Senior Citizens
• Alderman, Pancake House Deliver Breakfast To Senior Citizens
• Barraco's Delivers Free Pizza Slices During Quarantine