Machesney Park board approves changes in liquor licenses

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK – Changes in liquor licenses at different locations around the community have been approved by the village board.

Affected businesses are a golf course at the Atwood Homestead Forest Preserve Golf Course, a convenience store on Burden Road and two current gaming establishments.

Votes of approval came at the April 18 village board meeting followed earlier recommendations for approval from the liquor commission.

Wild Rhubarb and Bakery will be operating inside the clubhouse at the Atwood golf course, 8990 Old River Road.

The applicant, Susan Wheeler, requested a Class A liquor license to allow on-premise consumption and retail carryout in the original packaging.

Carrie Houston, the village’s planning and zoning coordinator, explained the golf course already had a Class C license, allowing only sales of beer and wine. The application requested a switch to a Class A license, which would include drinks such as Bloody Marys.

The property is in the open, bordered on two sides by the golf course itself, the Rock River and a forest preserve park. Since the acreage is part of the forest preserve it is in compliance with the village’s 2010 comprehensive plan, which calls for it to be used as open space.

“We are committed to preparing excellent food and concession items to Atwood Golf Course,” the application states. “We will be open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as weather and course allows.”

There will be no entertainment in the restaurant.

The proposed menu will include breakfast items, sandwiches, pork cutlets, hotdogs, corndogs, bratwurst, chicken strips, salads, onion rings, fries, assorted snacks and popcorn.

It is estimated that half of the sales would be food and half alcoholic beverages.

To accommodate the request, the village increased the number of Class A licenses from nine to 10, and reduced the number of Class C licenses from two to one.

Also receiving approval from the board was the request for a Class B license, allowing retail carryout in original packaging, for a convenience store at 8209 Burden Road.

Coordinator Houston explained the property previously was a Citgo station, which decided to discontinue selling package liquor and didn’t renew its Class B license. At that point the village reduced the number of Class B licenses by one.

The requested new Class B license required the board to amend the Village Code so there once again would be a maximum of 14 such licenses.

She said the convenience store would be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, with packaged alcohol sales being among “all of the usual convenience store offerings.” There also will be sales of gasoline.

The other two approvals by the board were for the transfer of BB (Bar Boutique) licenses to existing video gaming establishments at 7007 N. Second St. (Bettie’s Place) and 10125 N. Second St. (Bet-EZ).

A BB license allows on-premise consumption with video gaming. She said operations at both locations would continue as they have been.

The targeted age would be people 40 years of age and older, according to the application. The food-alcohol sales ratio is expected to be 30 percent snack food and 70 percent alcohol. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to midnight.