CILCSA Fireside Chat 2025: A Powerful Conversation with Mark Forinash of Café Moxo
- Feb 3
- 2 min read
The CILCSA Fireside Chat
What an incredible night celebrating the close of 2025 and our 10-year anniversary at the CILCSA Fireside Chat! Mark Forinash of Café Moxo shared his story that was truly inspiring. We’re grateful he not only shared it with us, but that we get to have a business owner like him in our community.
A Story of Strength and Service
Mark Forinash, owner of Café Moxo, has faced more challenges than most in bringing his dream of owning a restaurant to fruition. Just 3 months after opening Café Moxo, he suffered a life-threatening injury that resulted in intensive care, a long hospital stay, and a long recuperation at home. Next came Covid, when all restaurants were closed and his business came to a standstill. After things were back up and running, the building where Café Moxo is located caught fire and Mark suffered a total loss. And he started over once again.
Mark’s resilience and commitment to his dream are amazing, but that’s not all there is to Mark Forinash. He also feels a strong obligation to help make Springfield a better place. During Covid, Mark kept as many employees as he could and used them to prepare over $15,000 worth of meals he gave away to people in need. After the fire, Mark kept as many employees as he could on salary. Even with no restaurant work to do, he kept them as busy as he could cooking for the homeless shelter and picking up trash in the downtown area.
Mark has lost a lot, but has decided to focus on what he has while giving each customer in Café Moxo today an experience that leaves them saying, “WOW! I’m coming back tomorrow and bringing a friend.”
Moments From the Night
Thank You to Our Community
Huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and an extra-big thank you to those who brought a board game to support Compass for Kids! Your generosity makes a real impact.
We’re already hard at work planning an amazing lineup for 2026. There’s no better time to join & start your year with purpose, connection, and momentum.
Visit CILCSA.org to learn more.
