This Must Be the Place Nabs Business of the Year Award

When looking for a nearby venue to host a fundraiser, patrons need look no further than in downtown Lemont.

When proprietors Bill Moffett and Dan Farnesi opened the restaurant, their goal from the beginning was "to help as many people as possible.”

“We give them a cold drink, a hot meal and live entertainment,” Farnesi said. “But we also help by being a good space to have fundraisers, and fundraisers are a great way to help a lot of people.”

Last month, a benefit was held at the restaurant, 206 Main St., to support 6-year-old Ellie Cuiching, who recently underwent two surgeries to remove 98 percent of a massive brain tumor. The fundraiser was an overwhelming success, .

Other past fundraisers held at "The Place" have supported Lemont’s Hope and Friendship Ministries, the Lemont Lions Club, cancer research and autism awareness.

The restaurant also helps diners raise money for their favorite cause. Dine in on any Tuesday and the owners will donate 10 percent of the guest's tab to their registered cause.

For these reasons and more, This Must Be the Place recently nabbed the first Business of the Year award during the annual dinner dance held Feb. 25 at . Also during the evening, Lemont resident Kathy Henrikson captured the 2010 Citizen of the Year award.

For the first Business of the Year award, Chamber officials sought nominations from the community for businesses that strive for excellence in their field while also demonstrating support for the community at large.

“Dan, Bill, and This Must be the Place have a reputation for being a very caring business that promotes assisting people,” Chamber officials said in a statement. “We admire their desire to help, their unselfishness and their spirit of making a difference. Lemont is a wonderful, compassionate community to live in, and businesses and business owners who do as they do make our corner of the world a better place.”

Other nominees for Business of the Year included Ace Hardware, , the and Patch.

While Moffett and Farnesi are thrilled about the award, they refuse to take all the credit.

“It’s our pleasure to help the community but we just happen to be a location,” Farnesi said. “It’s the people who organize the fundraising events that deserve the credit. They work so hard to get people here and get raffle items, all to help the various causes. They’re amazing.”

This Must Be the Place looks forward to continuing to serve patrons, “whether it’s feeding them, entertaining them or helping them to raise money.”

“It’s our pleasure to help the community,” Farnesi said.

For more information about This Must Be the Place, visit www.BeThePlace.com.