Cavallini's Owner Blames Village For Closing; Village Refutes Claims

TINLEY PARK, IL — As word spreads of the pending closure of a beloved downtown Tinley Park business, conflicting accounts of the catalyst behind it have surfaced.

Cavallini's In the Park owner Norman Elftmann shared word of the closure via the business' social media Monday, announcing the end of its contract with the Village and alleging lack of cooperation from officials as reason.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for 20 wonderful years of here at the station," staff wrote. "Unfortunately, our village has recently decided not to renew our current five-year agreement."

As a result, staff continued, the business at 6700 South St. will close permanently Sept. 15.

Village Manager Pat Carr disputed Elftmann's account, saying that as the end of Elftmann's agreement approached earlier this year, Village officials approached him about the business' future.

The Village—seeking to be proactive and open-minded about the space—informed Elftmann in April that they would be issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the space, opening it up to other vendors to also apply. The Village encouraged Elftmann to also file an RFQ, Pat Carr said.

"As I am sure you are aware, the License Agreement and First Renewal to the Agreement between the Village of Tinley Park and Cavallini’s In The Park, Inc. at the Oak Park Avenue Train Station (2018-R-023), expired as of March 5, 2023," Community Development Director Dan Ritter wrote. "Therefore, the agreements have now expired and terminated. In order to select a vendor going forward, the Village will be issuing a new Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process on Monday, April 10, 2023 for the purpose of selecting an individual or vendor(s) to provide food and beverage services for commuters at the Tinley Park Oak Park Train Station."

Though the agreement had expired, Ritter continued, Elftmann could continue operations on a month-to-month basis until July 31.

"In the meantime, you are welcome to submit for the Oak Park Avenue Train Station RFQ at the appropriate time," Ritter wrote.

Elftmann declined to enter into the RFQ process, Carr told Patch.

"He opted not to respond to the RFQ," Carr told Patch.

"There’s no hard feelings on our end. We fully communicated what we were doing, he had the opportunity to put in for this."

Carr said the Village has worked to support Elftmann over the years, including assisting with funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have nothing but helpful to Norm," Carr said. "We gave him free rent during COVID, we’ve assisted him in many ways over the years."

Carr also noted that the relationship has also been beneficial to the Village. The business is described as "a coffee shop and breakfast place, serving both morning commuters and those looking for a splendid place to relax, to meet with friends or family, and to enjoy a good breakfast or coffee. ... After cafe hours, Cavallini's operates as a banquet venue specializing in showers, receptions, and parties of all kinds."

It's become a popular business, impacted at least in part by factors such as COVID and decreased Metra ridership.

"He’s done great things for the village, also," Carr said.

Officials sought applications from other vendors for the space, Carr said, to ensure they're finding the right fit for downtown business space. Elftmann was invited and encouraged to enter Cavallini's in the Park as a continuing vendor in that space. Village staff offered guidance to Elftmann during the process; ultimately, Carr said, he told the Village he would be closing.

"We solicited to give us ideas of what somebody thinks they can do there," Carr said. "We’ve given him ample opportunity to try to make something work there."

One other company has submitted a proposal for the space to date, but officials have not yet vetted that applicant, Carr said.

Residents are disappointed in news of the closure, also questioning the Village's role in it.

"This is a major step backwards," one commenter wrote. "The village is making so many unpopular decisions that the citizens who live here don't agree with.

"There is not a coffee shop anywhere close by to grab coffee or food before boarding the train. Terrible decision. Sad to see you go."

Elftmann was also responsible for seasonal decorations at the space, which many said they'll miss.

"Another loss in the community," one commenter wrote. "Thank you for the beautiful Halloween and Christmas decorations across the years. You made it incredibly magical."

News of the closing comes one week after the announcement that the Village will soon purchase the rights to the name of another longtime business, Teehan's Tavern. Already owners of the property, the Village will tear it down and rebuild, Carr told Patch, also with the intention of preserving its history and significance to the Village. Public outcry criticized the Village for its plans to demolish the 171-year-old building, Owner Regis Teehan, whose family has owned the business for years, said she will soon retire, and that she trusts that the Village will honor the pub's history in any future rebuild.

Carr stressed that officials' decisions are centered around their responsibility to create a vibrant downtown, and that they had assisted Elftmann many times throughout the years. Amidst pandemic struggles in 2020, Elftmann was in danger of closing the business then. The Village stepped in to provide some relief, Carr said.

Carr again said that the decision for Cavallini's to no longer operate in the space was within Elftmann's reach.

"We did not close this on him," Carr said. "We gave him ample opportunity, we’ve assisted him financially over the years with his business.

"He opted himself not to put in for this RFQ."

In a message to Patch Monday, Elftmann declined any further comment at this time, beyond that which has been shared via social media.