Cash Mob Planned At Ellie's Cafe After Thieves Broke In

CHICAGO, IL - Ellie's Cafe, a neighborhood favorite in Beverly and Morgan Park, defines the spirit of small business. It's a local gathering spot that doubles as a small event space for local bands and such. Packed in the middle of a residential neighborhood with no major thoroughfare within a half-mile, the most noise that comes on a daily basis is when the Metra trains pass by just a block to the west at the 107th Street Rock Island station.

That peaceful setting was disrupted last weekend, unfortunately, when Ellie's was the victim of an overnight break-in. But it didn't take long for residents of this small business-loving community to come together and help them make up for what was lost.

Dozens of people have confirmed on Facebook that they will take part in a "cash mob" that's been organized to help Ellie's, located at 10701 South Hale Avenue, recover on Thursday, April 5. Supporters are urged to stop by the cafe during the business hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day and order their favorite dishes and drinks.

An outpouring of support has come to Ellie's beginning on Sunday morning, when owner Cathy Stacey said she found the front door of the cafe pried open a little after 7 a.m.

"It wasn't obvious," Stacey said. "They were actually really neat about it. When I opened the screen door, I realized the glass was broken."

"I came to unlock the door to open for Sunday morning, but I found out I didn't have to unlock it. It was already open," Stacey said, noting that the burglars used a pry bar to break-in overnight.

When Stacey entered, she noticed none of the many decorations that graze the walls nor any of the electronics were taken. But when she got to the cash register, that's when it all made sense.

"They emptied it," she said. "What really pissed me off was that they took all the tips from the servers, too."

It's not the first time Ellie's has been robbed during closing hours. About a year after they opened in 2013, Stacey said a similar incident occurred and other businesses nearby have been victims to crimes of the same nature.

She's even less hopeful this time around that justice will come to the thieves.

"The cops came and they dusted the place, but I'm not hopeful" that anyone will be charged with the theft, Stacey said.

But the anger at those who attacked a small business in the "Shop Small" community of Beverly/Morgan Park quickly turned into a unified response.

It all started when Scott Smith, a board member with the Southwest Chicago Diversity Collaborative, reached out to Stacey to see if she would be on board with a "cash mob" event to help them out.

The "cash mob" phenomenon has become a trend in recent years as a way for people to gather in great numbers to patronize a small business. They've been popular locally in Beverly and this isn't the first time something has been planned under the leadership of the SCDC.

“Ellie’s is a big supporter of the work we’re doing at SCDC," Smith said. "Their events bring a diverse group together. We wanted to support them the way they’ve helped so many other people.”

Stacey was more than open and thankful for the idea and told Smith to set the date for Thursday. Ellie's will have additional staff on hand to handle the expected sharp increase in customers that day.

The outpouring began immediately on Sunday.

"I put it out there (the Facebook post about the burglary) because I was so angry and upset, not to ask for help," Stacey said.

But local organizations like the SCDC and Beverly Area Planning Association immediately asked their followers to help anyway. Stacey said a number of customers shared their concerns when they came in for breakfast and lunch that day.

"People were asking if we were OK and what they could do to help," Stacey said. "It felt like a warm blanket after you were out in the cold for a long time."

Momentum has continued, and it might not stop until well after Thursday.

"The response has been unbelievable," Stacey said. "We live in a great community with nice people. The way they have rallied and responded for us makes me feel there is still hope for humanity."

Photo: The front door at Ellie's Cafe in Morgan Park remains boarded up after thieves broke the glass in a burglary last weekend. Photo courtesy of Ellie's Cafe