Algonquin Looks To Decrease Liquor Licenses

ALGONQUIN, IL — Village officials in Algonquin are looking to decrease the number of liquor licenses in town.

The decision comes after several businesses decided not to renew their liquor licenses. Meanwhile, the village board is also expected to decide whether to add one more Class A-3 liquor license so a new restaurant and bar, Tap House Grill, can move into the building formerly occupied by Houlihan's at Algonquin Commons.

The village's Committee of a Whole is expected to address the liquor licenses during Tuesday's meeting.

The following businesses decided not to renew liquor licenses for businesses in town for the upcoming year: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Niagara Mexican Restaurant, 7-Eleven (two locations did not renew their licenses), Savour Inc., Rainbow Restaurant & Pancake and Fox Valley Pottery, according to Michael Kumbera, assistant village manager for the village of Algonquin.

But just because the business decided not to renew its license does not mean it's closed.

" ... many of the non-renewal licenses are still open; the liquor license may have simply been declined by the owner, or the business is still in the renewal process and there has been a short-term lapse," Kumbera told Patch in an email response last month.

Village officials waited to change the village code and decrease the number of allowed liquor licenses in town with the hopes that "the business, or another business, would apply to take over" the closed businesses, according to village documents. In total, the village board is set to vote on decreasing Class A-1 license by two, from 26 to 24 licenses; Class B-2 licenses by one, from nine licenses to eight; Class C-1 licenses by one from one to zero; and Class H licenses by one from one to zero.

Other new liquor licenses issued this year include one for World Food Enterprises, which owns the new Deli 4 You grocery store in town. And another for Whiskey and Wine, 103 South Main Street, Algonquin. Fuji Cajun has also applied for a new liquor license in recent weeks, Kumbera told Patch.

The village's Committee of a Whole meets starts at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 at the Ganek Municipal Center.