Restaurant with Wheaton North ties
delivers food, comfort during pandemic
By Chris Walker
From a generation ago, Eric Schlickman was in the same proverbial shoes as Wheaton North’s girls soccer team, except that he was able to lace up his cleats for his boys senior season.
Now, less than a year after opening the restaurant 302 Wheaton, the 2002 Wheaton North graduate has had to completely adjust his way of serving customers due to the coronavirus.
The casual gathering spot that he envisioned for families and friends to congregate, enjoy each other’s company, play a few games in and around the restaurant and enjoy a meal and a couple craft beers, is currently offering call-in ordering only.
“We had closed for two weeks right after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the stay-at-home order and it made us rethink the process we had in place for delivering food,” he said. “And the news was constantly changing. That gave us some time to do these initial “Give Love” orders.”
The “Give Love” program was borne when 302 Wheaton was overwhelmed with requests for gift cards to help those especially affected by the coronavirus. Whether due to their job as first responders and health-care workers, for people who were struggling because they lost jobs, to those who were battling illness or if anyone could simply benefit from a boost from the generosity of others who care about those who call the community home.
The program has been a success, helping countless people and serving as a great way to say thank you.
“So many people were asking for gift cards and gift cards are great, they put cash in my hand, but I’m not really employing anyone for that gift card so I thought what if we started this “Give Love” concept,” he said.
“This way you’re donating to the hospital, you’re donating food to the first responders, and I’m employing people to make that food for them. That’s kind of the start of the “Give Love” where it’s better to take money and put it to use rather than just taking gift cards.
“And there’s some liability out there where if we reopen and it’s all gift cards and no cash coming in,” he added. “This way there’s a constant flow, so it’s partially a business decision.”
Having grown up in Wheaton, this is truly Schlickman’s home, and the aspect of him creating a program like “Give Love” is typical of the way he lives his life.
“I would say my faith has a lot to play into some of the purpose that I see in this,” he said. “Honestly this community is pretty tight, and there’s no shortage of resources or connectivity in Wheaton. So, when there’s a need, you help.
“My parents were involved in a lot of different groups so my upbringing was around doing things. The People’s Resource Center in downtown Wheaton was a big one.”
The Wheaton North soccer programs have been involved in their share of community service over the years. That includes the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, a non-profit agency that provides housing, supportive services and community outreach to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families achieve self-sufficiency.
Wheaton North coach Tim McEvilly said that it has been the Falcons’ central charity for the boys and girls soccer teams at Wheaton for the past couple of years, and while they haven’t been able to do something this year, last year they received a $1,000 check from Buddy’s Helpers in association with the PepsiCo tournament which went to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.
Wheaton North senior Hanley Elftmann certainly had something to do with those efforts, as well as numerous other Wheaton North team service projects. Playing soccer at Wheaton North can be much more than playing soccer.
“Through the years we’ve done a variety of things both as a team and in groups within the team,” she said. “Community service is very important to all of us. Last year we took a trip out to Feed My Starving Children and packed boxes of food. We also participated in the service projects that the PepsiCo tournament sponsors.
“A smaller group of us, mainly juniors and seniors help run a golf tournament in the summer for Jack’s Army Foundation, an organization started by one of our teachers for research on KCNQ2 (encephalopathy) a disease his son has. As of right now, a few of us are volunteering at the People’s Resource Center to give back during this crazy time.”
Elftmann also is quite familiar with 302 Wheaton. In fact, she was planning on having her high school graduation party there.
“it’s a great community restaurant that everyone enjoys,” she said.
She’s also frequented the joint on Mondays as part of a nightly tradition of a youth group she is involved in. So, it’s pretty cool that current players are supporting the business of a former one.
You can participate in the “Give Love” program at www.302wheaton.com.
Some of those who have already received love via the program, include nurses serving at CDH COVID-19 screening facility, CDH general staff, Wheaton Fire Department, Northern Illinois Food Bank (toilet paper), CDH Ronald McDonald House. Outreach Community Ministries families, Naomi’s House residents and local church staffs.
While 302 Wheaton normal offering is sandwiches and salads. On Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Schlickman took on the challenge of serving tacos for the first time and sold nearly 1,000.
“We were pretty prepared for it and luckily our kitchen is flexible enough to figure it out,” he said. “Tacos are actually a little easier than you’d think. We prepped everything the day before and cooked all the meat in batches. If I was just doing tacos, we’d try some different things, but this went really well.”
Even if you know little about the oft-romanticized restaurant industry, you probably have heard that this business can eat an ownership alive. That challenge becomes even tougher adjusting as a carry-out only establishment.
Schlickman’s constantly busy at 302 Wheaton. The business supports his wife, who he first started dating in high school, and their four kids.
“We opened in September last year, and it’s one of the scariest things I’ve done, a total change of career and one of the riskiest businesses to get into,” he said. “They say the fastest way to lose a million dollars is to open a restaurant, and that’s very accurate.”
Life is constant change; external factors sometimes force you to change: your way of doing business; the way you go to school; the way you live. Schlickman believes high school kids should remain active and think creatively despite the difficult circumstances they’re living in.
“My recommendation is to not sit around and be depressed, only playing video games and watching Netflix,” he said. “Think creatively. The Wheaton community is all about helping others.”
For years Schlickman had dreams of opening a tap house. He reminded himself that he was going “to take something I really wanted to do” as his next career path.
He got his first taste of being a restaurateur by purchasing Shane’s Deli in Wheaton with some friends. He recognized that people are seeking more than food when they go out; they hunger for an experience.
“It’s been a staple for 15-16 years and in a historic building and people have come to love Shane’s, so when it was going to close me and a few buddies bought it,” he said. “I was the one who influenced them the most. Another partner was looking to get in the restaurant business and wanted the experience as well.
“I learned that it’s not all about the food. What drew people to Shane’s was it’s the glass mid-century modern building in the heart of downtown where you can bring the kids and the kids can have a meltdown, and it’s not a problem. It’s a family-oriented place in a family-oriented town in a place to go to see people and to be seen.
“It’s the kind of place downtown where you know if you go there, you’re going to run into someone you know, strike a conversation and have a meal with them.”
Recognizing those things, Schlickman set up to create the unique ambiance of 302 Wheaton, although for our current times it can’t be celebrated regularly because sit-in dining has been temporarily discontinued during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Learning from that experience at Shane’s Deli, people could forgive us if our food is not awesome,” he said. “We created that ambiance where families and friends could bring the kids and they had somewhere to self-entertain on the turf or playing ping pong or other games. It just happened that they fell in love with our burgers.”
The wildest dreams of a high school senior playing soccer probably include scoring the game-winning goal in the state final game or making a game-saving play on the defensive end, perhaps snagging a PK in a shootout. Schlickman’s dreams are now about selling many, many burgers, making lots of people happy and still having enough energy to spend time with his wife and kids.
Life moves pretty quickly. Schlickman’s now 36. Split that in half and he’s a senior in high school. Those soccer playing days are long behind him now, but he won’t forget them.
“Mac (McEvilly) would always call us a bunch of yahoos,” he said. “He probably wanted to call us something worse. We had ‘Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another’ on our t-shirt warm-ups. I think that kind of stuck with me.
“What I remember most about that time was working together as a team and truly making each other better. I wasn’t a great soccer player, but I was able to run fast and stay with people.”
Then it was the Wheaton North boys soccer team. Now it’s the Schlickman family and 302 Wheaton teams. Schlickman wears those jerseys well.
“Eric played for me for a couple of years and his sister (Emily) played for a longer period of time in the program,” McEvilly said. “His parents, the whole family, are extraordinary people. So, I’m not surprised with what he has done.
“He’s put his family first and has stayed close in the community with running the restaurant. He decided to do something wonderful. His humility doesn’t surprise me. When you do the right thing eventually everything will work its way out.”
Adapting to change is nothing knew for Schlickman.
After studying architecture at the University of Kanas, he worked in the field architect for more than four years before transitioning to the office furnishings industry, where he worked in numerous roles over seven years, including vice president of strategy. His venture into the food industry began just two years ago.
Perhaps someday one of the Schlickman kids will find a spot on a Wheaton North soccer roster. But kids like different things, interests change.
“Soccer is that sport that is good for developing coordination,” he said. “You learn how to play without the ball. There really are no set plays. It’s a fluid game and you have to learn so much, and it’s great for other sports.”
With that, Schlickman mentioned Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers center who played college basketball at Kansas. Embiid also claims to be the best soccer player in the NBA. He’s probably right.
“For me as a Kansas basketball guy, look at Joel Embiid. He grew up playing soccer and didn’t get into basketball until high school. He attributes his play to his footwork that he’s learned from soccer. The endurance people love it. I’ve heard some people are falling out of love with it; some are playing lacrosse now, which is similar. Soccer is such a great sport.”
delivers food, comfort during pandemic
By Chris Walker
From a generation ago, Eric Schlickman was in the same proverbial shoes as Wheaton North’s girls soccer team, except that he was able to lace up his cleats for his boys senior season.
Now, less than a year after opening the restaurant 302 Wheaton, the 2002 Wheaton North graduate has had to completely adjust his way of serving customers due to the coronavirus.
The casual gathering spot that he envisioned for families and friends to congregate, enjoy each other’s company, play a few games in and around the restaurant and enjoy a meal and a couple craft beers, is currently offering call-in ordering only.
“We had closed for two weeks right after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the stay-at-home order and it made us rethink the process we had in place for delivering food,” he said. “And the news was constantly changing. That gave us some time to do these initial “Give Love” orders.”
The “Give Love” program was borne when 302 Wheaton was overwhelmed with requests for gift cards to help those especially affected by the coronavirus. Whether due to their job as first responders and health-care workers, for people who were struggling because they lost jobs, to those who were battling illness or if anyone could simply benefit from a boost from the generosity of others who care about those who call the community home.
The program has been a success, helping countless people and serving as a great way to say thank you.
“So many people were asking for gift cards and gift cards are great, they put cash in my hand, but I’m not really employing anyone for that gift card so I thought what if we started this “Give Love” concept,” he said.
“This way you’re donating to the hospital, you’re donating food to the first responders, and I’m employing people to make that food for them. That’s kind of the start of the “Give Love” where it’s better to take money and put it to use rather than just taking gift cards.
“And there’s some liability out there where if we reopen and it’s all gift cards and no cash coming in,” he added. “This way there’s a constant flow, so it’s partially a business decision.”
Having grown up in Wheaton, this is truly Schlickman’s home, and the aspect of him creating a program like “Give Love” is typical of the way he lives his life.
“I would say my faith has a lot to play into some of the purpose that I see in this,” he said. “Honestly this community is pretty tight, and there’s no shortage of resources or connectivity in Wheaton. So, when there’s a need, you help.
“My parents were involved in a lot of different groups so my upbringing was around doing things. The People’s Resource Center in downtown Wheaton was a big one.”
The Wheaton North soccer programs have been involved in their share of community service over the years. That includes the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, a non-profit agency that provides housing, supportive services and community outreach to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families achieve self-sufficiency.
Wheaton North coach Tim McEvilly said that it has been the Falcons’ central charity for the boys and girls soccer teams at Wheaton for the past couple of years, and while they haven’t been able to do something this year, last year they received a $1,000 check from Buddy’s Helpers in association with the PepsiCo tournament which went to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.
Wheaton North senior Hanley Elftmann certainly had something to do with those efforts, as well as numerous other Wheaton North team service projects. Playing soccer at Wheaton North can be much more than playing soccer.
“Through the years we’ve done a variety of things both as a team and in groups within the team,” she said. “Community service is very important to all of us. Last year we took a trip out to Feed My Starving Children and packed boxes of food. We also participated in the service projects that the PepsiCo tournament sponsors.
“A smaller group of us, mainly juniors and seniors help run a golf tournament in the summer for Jack’s Army Foundation, an organization started by one of our teachers for research on KCNQ2 (encephalopathy) a disease his son has. As of right now, a few of us are volunteering at the People’s Resource Center to give back during this crazy time.”
Elftmann also is quite familiar with 302 Wheaton. In fact, she was planning on having her high school graduation party there.
“it’s a great community restaurant that everyone enjoys,” she said.
She’s also frequented the joint on Mondays as part of a nightly tradition of a youth group she is involved in. So, it’s pretty cool that current players are supporting the business of a former one.
You can participate in the “Give Love” program at www.302wheaton.com.
Some of those who have already received love via the program, include nurses serving at CDH COVID-19 screening facility, CDH general staff, Wheaton Fire Department, Northern Illinois Food Bank (toilet paper), CDH Ronald McDonald House. Outreach Community Ministries families, Naomi’s House residents and local church staffs.
While 302 Wheaton normal offering is sandwiches and salads. On Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Schlickman took on the challenge of serving tacos for the first time and sold nearly 1,000.
“We were pretty prepared for it and luckily our kitchen is flexible enough to figure it out,” he said. “Tacos are actually a little easier than you’d think. We prepped everything the day before and cooked all the meat in batches. If I was just doing tacos, we’d try some different things, but this went really well.”
Even if you know little about the oft-romanticized restaurant industry, you probably have heard that this business can eat an ownership alive. That challenge becomes even tougher adjusting as a carry-out only establishment.
Schlickman’s constantly busy at 302 Wheaton. The business supports his wife, who he first started dating in high school, and their four kids.
“We opened in September last year, and it’s one of the scariest things I’ve done, a total change of career and one of the riskiest businesses to get into,” he said. “They say the fastest way to lose a million dollars is to open a restaurant, and that’s very accurate.”
Life is constant change; external factors sometimes force you to change: your way of doing business; the way you go to school; the way you live. Schlickman believes high school kids should remain active and think creatively despite the difficult circumstances they’re living in.
“My recommendation is to not sit around and be depressed, only playing video games and watching Netflix,” he said. “Think creatively. The Wheaton community is all about helping others.”
For years Schlickman had dreams of opening a tap house. He reminded himself that he was going “to take something I really wanted to do” as his next career path.
He got his first taste of being a restaurateur by purchasing Shane’s Deli in Wheaton with some friends. He recognized that people are seeking more than food when they go out; they hunger for an experience.
“It’s been a staple for 15-16 years and in a historic building and people have come to love Shane’s, so when it was going to close me and a few buddies bought it,” he said. “I was the one who influenced them the most. Another partner was looking to get in the restaurant business and wanted the experience as well.
“I learned that it’s not all about the food. What drew people to Shane’s was it’s the glass mid-century modern building in the heart of downtown where you can bring the kids and the kids can have a meltdown, and it’s not a problem. It’s a family-oriented place in a family-oriented town in a place to go to see people and to be seen.
“It’s the kind of place downtown where you know if you go there, you’re going to run into someone you know, strike a conversation and have a meal with them.”
Recognizing those things, Schlickman set up to create the unique ambiance of 302 Wheaton, although for our current times it can’t be celebrated regularly because sit-in dining has been temporarily discontinued during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Learning from that experience at Shane’s Deli, people could forgive us if our food is not awesome,” he said. “We created that ambiance where families and friends could bring the kids and they had somewhere to self-entertain on the turf or playing ping pong or other games. It just happened that they fell in love with our burgers.”
The wildest dreams of a high school senior playing soccer probably include scoring the game-winning goal in the state final game or making a game-saving play on the defensive end, perhaps snagging a PK in a shootout. Schlickman’s dreams are now about selling many, many burgers, making lots of people happy and still having enough energy to spend time with his wife and kids.
Life moves pretty quickly. Schlickman’s now 36. Split that in half and he’s a senior in high school. Those soccer playing days are long behind him now, but he won’t forget them.
“Mac (McEvilly) would always call us a bunch of yahoos,” he said. “He probably wanted to call us something worse. We had ‘Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another’ on our t-shirt warm-ups. I think that kind of stuck with me.
“What I remember most about that time was working together as a team and truly making each other better. I wasn’t a great soccer player, but I was able to run fast and stay with people.”
Then it was the Wheaton North boys soccer team. Now it’s the Schlickman family and 302 Wheaton teams. Schlickman wears those jerseys well.
“Eric played for me for a couple of years and his sister (Emily) played for a longer period of time in the program,” McEvilly said. “His parents, the whole family, are extraordinary people. So, I’m not surprised with what he has done.
“He’s put his family first and has stayed close in the community with running the restaurant. He decided to do something wonderful. His humility doesn’t surprise me. When you do the right thing eventually everything will work its way out.”
Adapting to change is nothing knew for Schlickman.
After studying architecture at the University of Kanas, he worked in the field architect for more than four years before transitioning to the office furnishings industry, where he worked in numerous roles over seven years, including vice president of strategy. His venture into the food industry began just two years ago.
Perhaps someday one of the Schlickman kids will find a spot on a Wheaton North soccer roster. But kids like different things, interests change.
“Soccer is that sport that is good for developing coordination,” he said. “You learn how to play without the ball. There really are no set plays. It’s a fluid game and you have to learn so much, and it’s great for other sports.”
With that, Schlickman mentioned Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers center who played college basketball at Kansas. Embiid also claims to be the best soccer player in the NBA. He’s probably right.
“For me as a Kansas basketball guy, look at Joel Embiid. He grew up playing soccer and didn’t get into basketball until high school. He attributes his play to his footwork that he’s learned from soccer. The endurance people love it. I’ve heard some people are falling out of love with it; some are playing lacrosse now, which is similar. Soccer is such a great sport.”