Customers with Thursday reservations at Loop landmark The Berghoff and at a handful of restaurants run by Chicago chef Rick Bayless will have to come back another time.

The restaurants are among dozens of businesses in Chicago that closed for the day to support workers wishing to participate in the "Day Without Immigrants," a loosely organized campaign encouraging strikes and boycotts to protest hard-line immigration policies and showcase the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy

Bayless shut down four of his restaurants for the day on Thursday out of respect for a staff vote to support the action.

Bayless announced on his Facebook page Wednesday evening that Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco and Fonda Frontera would be closed, while Cruz Blanca and Lena Brava will remain open and direct 10 percent of gross revenue Thursday to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

"We believe lasting change is achieved incrementally, and if you can't participate, we encourage you make contributions to groups working to make lasting change," Bayless said in a statement that suggested seven organizations to support, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Immigrant Youth Justice League.

At The Berghoff, management conducted an anonymous poll among its hourly restaurant staff Wednesday and found the majority did not plan to show up for work the next day to support the protest.

"From an operational standpoint we decided it was best to close for the day, but also to stand in support," said Ashley Mazur, marketing and media manager at The Berghoff, where administrative employees were still working Thursday. About 50 or 60 hourly workers were off for the day, unpaid.

Day Without Immigrants Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune

A sign is taped on the entrance to Xoco restaurant in Chicago on Feb. 16, 2017. Chef Rick Bayless was among Chicago business owners to close their businesses for a day to support immigrants.

A sign is taped on the entrance to Xoco restaurant in Chicago on Feb. 16, 2017. Chef Rick Bayless was among Chicago business owners to close their businesses for a day to support immigrants.

(Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

The Berghoff canceled reservations it had for the day, but "surprisingly, our customers have all been very understanding and said we will come another time," Mazur said.

Eater listed more than 50 Chicago restaurants that are closed in support of the protest, including L'Patron, Johnny's Grill and Acadia in the South Loop, whose chef, Ryan McCaskey, an immigrant from Vietnam, in a Facebook post explained his solidarity "with the many immigrants who've come to America searching for a better life, and opportunity."

"The subject of immigration remains close to my heart as a Saigon born immigrant who came on a green card to America, and was given an amazing opportunity for not only a good life, but a chance at a great career," he wrote.

Pete's Fresh Market said on Facebook that it will show its support for its workers by closing several Chicago stores for the day: 5724 S. Kedzie Ave., 4700 S. Kedzie Ave., 4343 S. Pulaski Road, 5838 S. Pulaski Road and 2526 W. Cermak Road.

'A Day Without Immigrants'

On Feb. 16, people across the country are participating in the national “Day Without Immigrants.” (Feb. 16, 2017)

On Feb. 16, people across the country are participating in the national “Day Without Immigrants.” (Feb. 16, 2017)

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Vanessa Dremonas, an executive officer at Pete's, said the business is inviting employees from its closed stores to work at any of its open stores if they wish, and is respecting employees at its open store locations who wish to observe the Day Without Immigrants.

The decision was a reversal from a statement earlier Wednesday, in which the grocery chain disputed rumors of disciplinary actions against workers who didn't show up for shifts but said it would not close.

"While we are empathetic to this heightened political climate, we need to remain true to our core values and our ultimate goal of providing fresh food to our customers," Pete's had said in a Facebook post earlier in the day, before the closures were announced.

While most of the protest activity is expected to take place in the nation's capital, where The Washington Post reported numerous popular restaurants and even schools closing for the occasion, it has spread to several other cities. On social media, immigrants — those who are here legally and not — were encouraged to not go to work, open their businesses, shop online, eat in restaurants, buy gasoline, go to class and send their kids to school.

Workers rallied in Chicago's Union Park late Thursday morning, holding signs that said "We are workers, not criminals" and "We won't back down."

'Day Without Immigrants' protest closes many U.S. restaurants Errin Haines Whack

The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in the nation's capital and New York closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks and taco joints in places like Chicago and Boston shut down.

Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday...

The heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market was uncommonly quiet. Fine restaurants in the nation's capital and New York closed for the day. Grocery stores, food trucks and taco joints in places like Chicago and Boston shut down.

Immigrants around the U.S. stayed home from work and school Thursday...

(Errin Haines Whack)

In Chicago, the workers center Arise plans an 11 a.m. rally Thursday in Union Park, said Arise spokeswoman Shelly Ruzicka.

Another Chicago-area business that plans to close Thursday is El Palenque in Aurora, a store that sells Mexican goods.

Owner Efrain Corral said he got wind of the protests on Facebook and from calls from vendors and other stores asking if he would close. He decided to do so to support his mostly Mexican customer base and "so that they know that the U.S. is made by immigrants."

"We will feel it," he said of forgoing a day of business, "but we can handle it."

Jaime di Paulo, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, said he was getting numerous calls from business owners asking if they should close. He discouraged them from doing so, saying it will only hurt the community, where the vast majority of stores and customers are Hispanic.

"The position of the chamber is that this an opportunity to shop Mexican," he said. "Support your local Mexican businesses. Don't be a fool and lose money."

Joliet police will not do the work of immigration authorities, mayor says Alicia Fabbre

Joliet law enforcement has no plans to do the work of federal immigration authorities, city leaders said during a special meeting Wednesday night.

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk called the meeting to answer questions from residents about immigration. The forum drew about 700 people, mostly Latinos.

...

Joliet law enforcement has no plans to do the work of federal immigration authorities, city leaders said during a special meeting Wednesday night.

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk called the meeting to answer questions from residents about immigration. The forum drew about 700 people, mostly Latinos.

... (Alicia Fabbre)

"Immigrants represent a tremendous percentage of the hospitality workforce and have always been the backbone of our industry," Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said in an emailed statement. "We understand that many restaurants will close today in solidarity with their employees. The restaurant industry statewide will continue to welcome and accept employees and guests from all cultures and backgrounds. We are committed to continuing to be an inclusive industry that champions opportunity and advancement for all."

The National Restaurant Association issued a statement that said legal immigrants are an important part of the restaurant family but encouraged members to follow all laws.

"By encouraging walkouts, these organizations disrupt the workplaces of hardworking Americans who are trying to provide for their families," said Leslie Shedd, the group's vice president of communications.

aelejalderuiz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @alexiaer

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