Evanston Local Heroes Seek Support From Community To Stay Afloat

EVANSTON, IL — The owners of an Evanston ice cream parlor and corner store that has been hard-hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have been nominated local heroes by the community.

The family-owned business across the street from Evanston Township High School has offered free groceries, masks and hand sanitizer for members of the community in need and delivery to senior citizens with the help of the Evanston Community Foundation. Now its owners have asked the public for help to cover operational costs and bring back laid-off staff through an online fundraiser.

Clarence and Wendy Weaver have operated C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor for the past six years. They took over a convenience store at the corner of Church Street and Dodge Avenue in Evanston that was once notorious for illicit activities.

The Weavers annexed a neighboring space and created a family-friendly environment connecting the ice cream parlor to the corner store with a deli counter. Both worked full-time day jobs as they got the business off the ground, according to a 2017 Evanston RoundTable profile. Mr. Weaver told Evanston Patch Tuesday the store has become his full-time pursuit.

The Weavers are also involved in Second Baptist Church, where Mr. Weaver is a minister and Mrs. Weaver is a deaconess. Mr. Weaver is also a board member of the nonprofit Youth and Opportunity United, which is headquartered on the same block.

"Clarence and Wendy Weaver have big hearts for the people of Evanston. They love this community and it shows by their service to it," said Sharon Weeks, a former neighbor and colleague in ministry who nominated the Weavers for recognition in the Patch Local Heroes project.

In the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, C&W Market has seen more than 85 percent of its customer base disappear following school closures and the Gov. J.B. Pritzker's s statewide stay-at-home order, according to the Weavers, who said they had been forced to cut staffing and reduce hours.

Mr. Weaver said the store, considered an essential business under the governor's executive order, began offering grocery delivery and curbside sales. Customers can place orders for pickup or delivery over the phone at 847-833-9367.

But even though the stay-at-home order has expired, foot traffic has not recovered. And if the business is unable to survive, regular shoppers would have to travel up to 2 miles to access needed supplies, he said.

"Due to the pandemic, there's a lot of families — whether they're [Evanston/Skokie School] District 65 families or whether they're seniors — that are literally in a stay-at-home mode. And even though Evanston as a city has reached Phase 3 [of Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan], everybody's not operating with the mentality that it's time to get out and be free," Mr. Weaver said.

"It's essential for us to be able to provide services in this community," he said. "And not just people in the 2nd and 5th wards, but also people that drive by."

"Although we have partnered with organizations in the community to provide free food and grocery giveaways to neighborhood families and seniors, this does not support our business and staff," they said in their campaign description on GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner. "Like so many others, our business is operating without government aid or loans."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $4,500 from 65 donors. All funds raised through the campaign will go toward their operating costs, they said.

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