Cavallini's In The Park On The Brink Of Closing

TINLEY PARK, IL — Cavallini's In The Park, a popular restaurant in Tinley Park, is close to closing its doors for good. The restaurant owned by Norman Eltfmann is located at the train station, 6700 South St. and like many others in the area, is struggling amid the COVID-19 era.

A GoFundMe has recently been set up to help support the business. The fundraiser is being organized by Stephen Longhi, a friend of Eltfmann for the past 23 years. The friendship occurred when they worked together as paramedics, according to the GoFundMe post.

Longhi wrote in the fundraiser description, "This man, who has done so much for others, now needs our help. When Illinois closed down his business in March it was only supposed to be for 2 or so weeks to 'flatten out the curve'. Five months later his banquet business is still not allowed to open completely and the county is considering closing it even longer."

The goal is to raise $15,000 for the local Tinley Park restaurant so it doesn't fall under. Longhi wrote that the business was only given one loan to get by.

"Cavallini’s In The Park was given a $2,500 loan during the small business bailout which was enough to last a little over a week. His expenses have not stopped, yet he is not allowed to host banquets to pay those bills which the $2,500 loan did not begin to cover."

Longhi said he wants the GoFundMe to help pay bills, rent, utilities, property taxes and more to help keep the business going for a few more months. "Even if you don’t want to donate, please consider buying some of gourmet coffee … Every little bit helps."

For more information, take a look at the GoFundMe.