LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Lafayette grocery store's decision benefits local restaurants


Meat Manager Jim Gates holds a fresh turkey, alongside Diablo Foods Owners Dan Stokes and his sister Connie Collier. Photo Pippa Fisher

This year family-run Diablo Foods has chosen not to offer its traditional complete takeout Thanksgiving turkey dinners - a decision made specifically in order to encourage its customers instead to support local restaurants at a time when small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

Not competing with local restaurants was an idea that came to Dan Stokes and was encouraged by his sister Connie Collier. Together they own and run the grocery store - a popular Lafayette mainstay.

"We just wanted to give back to the restaurants in town that have had such a bad break through all of this," says Collier, adding that they feel so fortunate to have been able to keep their doors open and to have kept all their staff employed through the crazy times.

Restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners this year include Tutus, Metro, The Coop, Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa's The Park Bistro and Bar, The Main Kitchen Café, Out of the Cave Foods, and Whole Foods. Several sold out ahead of the holiday.

Diablo Foods will still be offering pre-cooked turkey and various prepared side dishes.