W E D N E S D A Y
July 10, 2024 Vol. 45, No. 2
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JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
Fat Cat Gallery exhibit opens July 20 Page 3
Cozy Corner to close after 65 years The era ends July 28 By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter
Caped parader TODD BANNOR
Cozy Corner, the diner mainstay at the corner of Lake and Marion in Oak Park, will close July 28. Owners Georgia Dravilas and Peter Gerousis said they are sad to lock the doors on this local institution, but added that they are thankful for the many years and faithful customers. The restaurant opened 65 years ago with current coowner Dravilas’ father at the helm. When he was ready to retire around 2015, he made a private sale to a new owner. That person ran into trouble with various government entities as a result of non-payment of taxes, in addition to other financial difficulties. Because it was a private sale — Dravilas’ father still owned 51% of the business until the purchase loan was paid — the elder Dravilas regained control of the diner in 2019. Dravilas and Gerousis took over the business shortly after. The two spent several years resolving the backlog of financial entanglements and then, of course, the pandemic happened. “If it wasn’t for Takeout 25, we would have been shut
A member of Kuumba Kids Dance wings her way up Ridgeland Avenue during the July 4th Parade. More photos on page 17.
June 6 - August 29 | 5pm-9pm
See COZY CORNER on page 5