Residing on Noyes Street in Evanston, D&D Dogs and D&D Finer Foods is a staple small business in Evanston, serving the community for 53 years. A grocery store, D&D, sells candy, drinks, deli meats, frozen goods, and more. D&D Dogs – their next door restaurant – serves a diverse variety of hot dogs, hamburgers, breakfast foods, and sandwiches. However, the two shops were not always combined. In 1973, the two joined together to form the D&D the Evanston community knows and loves. Through its welcoming atmosphere and family feel, D&D has proven that it is more than a simple store or restaurant – it is a crucial and influential part of Evanston.

One of the many characteristics that make D&D special is its inviting space – the people who shop at D&D have often shopped there for years, growing up with the store, and showing loyalty to the place that treats them like real people, not just as customers. “The family aspect we have here is super nice, there’s never a dull moment,” said Arianna Alba, who has been working at D&D for a year. “With open arms, we welcome people when they come in.” Because D&D Dogs and Finer Foods is a small business, there is less staff turnover, further adding to its friendly ambiance. Many employees have been working at D&D for almost a decade, including Jesus Rios, who has been a manager for 9 years.

“I came here when I was 24 years old,” explained Rios. It was just me and my brother, and then all of a sudden I started having a family [at D&D].”

And Evanston residents are not the only members of the D&D family. With the store’s proximity to Northwestern University and the CTA Purple Line, D&D has become a hub for students.

“When they get off the Purple Line before they get to school, they get their coffee, their drinks…they can always get their local turkeys and make it feel home-ish,” said Rios. “We try to make it a home away from home for them.”

D&D is also supportive of fellow small businesses, such as Local Style Chips, a brand owned by an Evanston resident. D&D was one of the first stores to sell them in Evanston, acknowledging how essential it is that small businesses recognize and boost each other.

D&D Dogs and Finer Foods has made an impact on Evanston, as a small business that makes a big difference with its embracing, welcoming arms and its close, unwavering community.

“I know Evanston, they love that local, small business,” stated Rios. “We’re a small business, this is what we are.”