CHICAGO (CBS) – A popular south side restaurant was damaged Friday morning when a vehicle crashed into the building.
Josephine’s Southern Cooking, 436 E. 79th St, has been a staple in the Chatham neighborhood for decades.
Mother Josephine Wade has hosted everyone from the South Side to the West Side, from celebrities and dignitaries to neighborhood guests at her restaurant.
CBS
A black Chevy Cruze was seen in the dining area of the restaurant and was badly damaged in the accident. The impact destroyed part of the restaurant’s facade.
According to Chicago police, a 58-year-old woman lost control and jumped the curb while trying to avoid a crash involving a Chicago library delivery truck. One person, believed to be the driver of the Chevy, was taken out on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance. She is expected to recover.
An employee was in the building at the time of the accident and alerted the police.
No further injuries were reported.
Victor Love, the owner of Josephine and son of mother Wade, said he received the call about 30 minutes after the car sped through his restaurant.
“Another sad day for us. Anyway, we don’t have many sad days, but this is one. My mother is having a pretty rough time,” he said. “I don’t know what the damage will be to the restaurant. I’ve sent a structural engineer on his way out. Hopefully they can at least give us permission to clean it up, board it up and try to reopen it.”
The lack of serious injuries was the focus for Mother Wade and her family Friday afternoon, who were determined to stay positive despite the serious injuries as they prepare for a new program to feed the community.
“The most important thing is to be there for people,” said Mother Wade.
Mother Wade has fed Chicago for decades – celebrities, dignitaries and those in the Chatham neighborhood who needed a meal. For me, as a figure in this community, the damage to the restaurant on Friday was a hard sight to see.
“It hurt,” Wade said.
Love says they have been at the same location for 43 years and have provided thousands of free meals during the pandemic.
“43 years – a lot of work, a lot of blood. But strong people stand up and fight, and we just keep coming back. The community means a lot to us – and we see people just coming to help today; my phone is blowing up – that people are coming to help and see what we need,” Love said. “We appreciate that.”
Wade and her family said they knew they would have to absorb the damage. Late Friday, they were already talking about moving forward with plans to convert part of their space here into a place where those in need can go for a free meal – hopefully this fall.
