West Newsmagazine 4-11-18

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West County Center to host Autism Eats dining event
By JESSICA MESZAROS
On April 15, West County Center and
Autism Speaks will host Autism Eats, a
sensory-friendly dining experience at three
of the mall’s restaurants: Bravo! Cucina, J.
Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks and Seafood,
and McCormick & Schmick’s.
“It’s a privilege to work with Autism
Speaks to offer families this special time to
dine out when they can relax and not feel
like ‘all eyes are on them,’” Sean Phillips,
marketing director for West County Center,
said. “Since other diners ‘get it’ there is
no need to explain any behaviors. It’s a
great opportunity to have a meal out with
other families in an autism-friendly, nonjudgmental
environment.”
According to Phillips, the participating
restaurants will offer sensory-friendly
elements like dimmed lighting and softer
music, in addition to interactive activities.
“The restaurants also will have activities
for children,” Phillips said. “So there will
be coloring and puzzles and some activities
to do while they are waiting to eat or
while they’re waiting for their parents to
eat.”
The Autism Eats event isn’t the first
partnership between Autism Speaks and
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., which
owns and manages West County Center.
The mall previously hosted two other sensory-friendly
events – Bunny Cares and
Santa Cares – in partnership with Autism
Speaks. Those events allowed children on
the autism spectrum to have a specialized
and sensory-friendly visit with the Easter
Bunny and Santa Claus. The events were
held at four CBL & Associates properties,
including Mid Rivers Mall and West
County Center.
Phillips said the events proved to be
popular with families and children.
“They were definitely very well
received,” Phillips said. “The Santa Cares
events started at one of our other malls
that actually is in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
where CBL is based. We had such a
great response that we decided to roll it out
company-wide.”
While the Santa Cares and Bunny Cares
events took place at multiple area malls,
Autism Eats is exclusive to West County
Center.
“From a central location standpoint and
having three restaurants in the same area
of the mall, like we do at West County in
the restaurant village area, it creates a good
environment to try and do something like
this event,” Phillips said.
Each restaurant has prepared a special
The Bunny Cares event was held at West
County Center in partnership with Autism
Speaks.
[Photo courtesy of Sean Phillips]
Autism Eats menu filled with both brunch
and lunch items. Reservations for the event
are required; attendees should let the restaurant
know if the reservation is specifically
for Autism Eats. The event will take
place from noon-3 p.m.
Whether to make Autism Eats an ongoing
event will depend on feedback and
attendance, Phillips said.
“Getting the word out and letting people
know about the opportunity is really
important, but if this one is a success, our
restaurants are excited to participate in
another such event and I know we would
be excited to participate in other such
events as well,” Phillips said.
April 11, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
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