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Before San Chez, A Tapas Bistro opened its doors in November of 1992, owner Dan Gendler incorporated the importance of community service in his original business plan. Fourteen years later, this commitment remains strong, allowing for growth of new programs and projects. Our mission statement is now a three-tiered statement balancing the importance of our guests, our employees, and our community.
San Chez Restaurant Inc. believes that we must view our community as importantly as we view our profitability. We will make every effort to not focus on one without the other. Participation in the community and with nonprofit organizations shall be conducted whenever possible.
We commit to major food donations to support annual money-raising events for several non-profit organizations. We donate over $30,000 in goods and services annually. We are approached by many organizations, we choose about one major donation per month for food services and donate $150 in gift certificates each month. Some examples of organizations that we have contributed major food donations to are:
DONATION AND COMMUNITY RELATED EVENTS:
Recycling Program: From day one in 1992, San Chez Bistro has consistently recycled paper and cardboard. In 1999, we extended our program to include clear glass, aluminum, and plastic using the City of Grand Rapids recycling program. To get the staff more involved and to comply within the City’s guidelines, we posted signs around the bistro and included a recycling guideline and commitment page within our employee handbook.
Today our recycling program is among our more important community initiatives because it has the greatest impact and broadest involvement with our community. Current we recycle 32,000 gallons of material and 468 cubic yards of cardboard and paper every year.
Since its inception, the San Chez Bistro staff has appreciated, and been directly involved with our recycling program. Now that they can visualize the large amounts recycled weekly, they challenge each other to reduce waste and hold others accountable to make sure recyclable products stay out of the trash. From recycling paper and cardboard, to recyclable plastic and aluminum containers, to multiple colored glass bottles; San Chez Restaurant, Inc. believes we must reduce waste and recycle what we can to ensure our restaurant does not have a negative impact on our environment or the community.
To measure the overall impact that our recycling program, donations, and community projects have on our community, we look at the overwhelming support and positive responses that we get from the staff, non-profit organizations, the media, and the City. We strive to enhance the environment in which we work and we believe that all businesses should balance profit by lessening the negative environmental impacts that come with operating a business. As a recent State winner for the Michigan Restaurant Neighbor Award, a component of the National Restaurant Association's Cornerstone Initiative, San Chez Restaurant Inc. is proud to be an Ambassador to the restaurant industry on blazing the path towards incorporating community involvement and environmental responsibility to the industry’s bottom line. The National Restaurant Association's Cornerstone Initiative promotes the restaurant industry's role as the cornerstone of the economy, of career and employment opportunities, and of community involvement. This triple bottom-line model has increased awareness of sustainability in the private and nonprofit sector.
Neighborhood Involvement: San Chez Bistro is proud to be a part of the Heartside Historic Business District. In 1992, many considered this neighborhood risky. However, owner Dan Gendler felt that downtown Grand Rapids offered numerous possibilities, connected to the surrounding area by transit, bicycle, foot, and car. We have supported the economic growth and revitalization of Heartside. Today, Heartside has become an eclectic hot spot for all ages to live, work, shop, and play.
San Chez Bistro is excited to be part of state-designated Cool CITY neighborhood. Being an independent restaurant, we realize that we are interdependent on other businesses and organizations in the area, and we stand behind our goals and values that make us a responsible neighbor and a sustainable business.
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