Their Life's Work: A legacy Des Plaines banquet and restaurant business struggles with finding ways to adapt

Illinois has more than 1 million small businesses - some new, some old, some family legacies, others personal dreams. Each proprietor has a story to tell about how things have changed dramatically for them with the onset of the coronavirus, how they're adapting, how they're trying to hold it together and how their life's work hangs in the balance.

Cafe La Cave, a banquet hall and restaurant in Des Plaines across from the Allstate Arena, opened 44 years ago.

Randy Sutter, his brother Gus and sister Kimberly Sutter took over the family business from their mom and uncle.

Today, it stands dark.

Unlike many restaurants, Cafe La Cave is not doing carryout or delivery service.

Randy says that would not be profitable.

Sixty-five employees have gone on unemployment.

"The margins are very thin in the restaurant business," he said. "It's a very delicate business."

The banquet side of the operation is the moneymaker, but hosting events for 200 to 300 people doesn't translate to a stay-at-home order.

"This is devastating to our types of business," he said. "If this goes past May 30, it's going to be very difficult to get it back."

"My heart goes out to all the small business owners and I pray for them," he said. "And all the American people, and anyone that's sick."