Former Chicago Cubs first baseman and now team ambassador Anthony Rizzo has made a heartwarming gesture of solidarity to a local Edison Park eatery, Tony's Italian Deli & Subs, following a distressing armed robbery incident. The show of support came on November 23rd when Rizzo paid a surprise visit to the deli, bringing cheer to the staff with poses for photos and autograph signings, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
On a Sunday morning in November, the popular deli, located on Northwest Highway, was subjected to an armed robbery by three individuals just as an employee was entering the premises, who was then threatened with a gun to his head. According to the WGN-TV coverage, the robbers fled, and no arrests have been made yet. Despite the unfortunate event, the deli did not waver, opening up for business on the same morning and receiving an overwhelming response from the local community.
Rizzo's visit, while a surprise, stemmed from a relationship between the athlete's family and the deli's proprietors that has spanned over a decade. Rizzo took to social media to highlight the community's need to reciprocate the support Tony’s Deli has shown over the years. "If you're in Chicago, go check out @tonysdeli1. An amazing family led by Vito and Maria, who are always stepping up to support their community. Now it’s our turn to step up for them," praised Rizzo, championing a sense of community resilience and engagement.
Following the robbery, the community has rallied around Tony's Italian Deli & Subs, and now, thanks to Rizzo's patronage, it has received additional support and attention. "We were absolutely thrilled and completely surprised by a visit from [Rizzo]," expressed the store on social media in an overflowing gratitude that mirrored the community's own spirit, captured in a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. Rizzo, besides his ambassadorial duties, is also known for his charitable work through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which benefits cancer research and supports affected families—a cause the Dalmazio family has strongly supported in honor of their late son.
The act of giving back isn't novel to the Rizzos or to the Dalmazios, who have taken strides in forging a symbiosis through charity and support over the years. "They have been so supportive to us, and not to mention the thousands of children and families they support," Maria, owner of Tony's Deli, told WGN News.
