A Resilient Corner Store Faces a Sudden Crash

The City News Cafe, a familiar face on North Cicero Avenue since 1988, recently endured an unexpected setback when a stolen car crashed into its storefront at four‑thirty in the morning. Police reports say the driver ran a red light at Six Corners, chased by officers, and ultimately lost control, shattering windows and damaging furniture before being taken into custody. Three firearms were recovered from the vehicle. Owner Joe Angelastri, who has kept the shop open every day for nearly five decades, learned of the incident from a window‑boarding crew and then from police. He described the scene as “like something out of the Middle East, ” but remained determined to restore business quickly. By midafternoon, plywood panels covered the broken glass and a bold blue sign declared the café was open again.Local regulars showed their support in no time. Long‑time patrons Zia Sargis and John Owens, who meet weekly for coffee and conversation in the back corner of the store, emphasized that the café offers a sense of community absent from chain coffee shops. “You can just come here and meet people and live in the real, physical world, ” Owens noted. Customers who wanted to help with repairs were encouraged instead to continue patronizing the café. By Friday, a regular visitor, 58‑year‑old art consultant Brad Krause, had seen the boarded windows and almost left. He then used an AI platform to generate promotional images for the café, hoping to boost its visibility. Angelastri declined the offer, but Krause remained supportive of the café’s mission. The incident has reminded everyone that long‑standing businesses can be taken for granted. The community’s swift response and the owner’s steadfast commitment underscore the café’s role as a resilient hub in Portage Park.