Copyright Chicago Sun-Times
A family-run Palatine cafe is closing because of a drop in customers due to immigration enforcement in the area, the owners said. Chappie’s Cafe, 754 W. Euclid Ave., will serve its last meal Nov. 2. The business has seen great success despite opening four years ago during COVID, said Judith Martinez, who owns the cafe with her husband, Omar Garcia. But things began to change about three to four weeks ago, when federal agents arrived and started to approach customers, she said. Two masked agents encountered customers while they were eating breakfast and asked to see their papers but took no one into custody. Agents visited about a week later. This time, Martinez locked the front door when she saw them driving around the parking lot.
