Arcada Theatre gives away 1,000 meatballs to celebrate National Meatball Day

A year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Arcada Theatre to shut its doors, the historic entertainment venue remains closed.

But Ron Onesti, president and founder of Onesti Entertainment, which leases space in the building at 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles for the Arcada Theatre and Club Arcada, is encouraged that brighter days are ahead as the COVID-19 situation across the state continues to improve.

To celebrate National Meatball Day on Tuesday, Onesti gave away 1,000 of his Ron’s Famous Meatballs. In a sign that people were anxious to get a hold of them, cars were lined up all around the block near the Arcada Theatre.

“Now that we do see somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel, we want to let everyone know that we’re here and that it’s OK to be happy again. It’s OK to celebrate and it’s OK to eat meatballs,” Onesti said.

St. Charles resident Cara Lohman was strolling her two young children past the Arcada Theatre when she came upon the meatball giveaway.

She was anxious to try them.

“They look awesome,” she said. “We love meatballs in our house.”

Onesti’s meatballs proved to be a hot commodity. They were gone in 15 minutes.

“The best part of this whole thing has been the comments and the smiles that people have given,” he said. “They genuinely want to come back. They genuinely miss us and the music. Seeing all these people, it’s like seeing family and friends again after a year.”

His meatballs are well known among those who have performed at the Arcada Theatre.

“I started them as I began cooking for the artists,” he said. “A key to our industry really is the relationships we have with the entertainers, the agents and the managers. The best way I knew of how to create and foster a relationship with all them is to feed them the way I was fed growing up. I would cook for all the bands and they all loved my meatballs. So it started there.”

Two new restaurants – Rock ‘N Za and Rock ‘N Ravioli – are set to open in April in the Arcada Theatre building as part of a major renovation project that includes new eateries, hotel suites and additional bathrooms.

“Our plan is for April and the theatre, hopefully will open in August or so,” Onesti said.