Darien Restaurant Threatened Over Liquor Sales: Lawyer

DARIEN, IL – Employees of the Sandtrap Grill at Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien were threatened last month that they could be arrested if they sold liquor, the restaurant's lawyer says.

For more than three years, Sandtrap operated under the liquor license of Carriage Greens, having been given permission by country club owner Brian Broderick to do so, Sandtrap's lawyer, Fred Roth, said in a letter last month to Darien's city attorney.

Also in October, Carriage Greens sued restaurant operator Heidi Revelis, contending she breached her contract in a number of ways. Revelis countersued.

On Oct. 19, a few days after the litigation started, Broderick entered Sandtrap and removed the framed liquor license and threatened employees, Roth said in an Oct. 23 letter to the city attorney.

Broderick warned the employees that if they sold alcohol, he would call the police and have them arrested, Roth said.

In his letter to city attorney John Murphey, Roth acknowledged the contract stipulated that Revelis would get a city liquor license.

But he said Broderick told Revelis that an alternative arrangement would be better. The owner said Revelis could run her restaurant on the premises under his liquor license, Roth said.

Roth said Broderick violated the liquor license by allowing Revelis to operate under it.

Earlier this month, the Darien City Council granted a liquor license to Sandtrap, with Murphey saying the city would be neutral in the parties' larger dispute.

Roth said his client intends to operate Sandtrap at the country club for years to come, saying it would benefit the community.

In an Oct. 30 email to city officials, Adriana Broderick, the other owner, said she was feeling "extreme frustration and anger" on what she said was Revelis' illegal use of Carriage Greens' liquor license.

"Even worse, it appears she has the blessing of city hall to do this," Adriana Broderick said. "This situation is unacceptable."

She said she believed it was the city's duty to ensure that liquor licenses are in compliance. She requested Revelis be banned from selling liquor until she gets all proper licenses and insurance.

"It is disheartening to witness the disregard for the law and the potential harm to our reputation and community caused by such illegal activities," Adriana Broderick said.

Roth said that while Sandtrap now has a city liquor license, it does not have a state one yet. He said the state gives licenses to virtually all those with municipal licenses. The restaurant is serving liquor now.

He said Carriage Greens wants a temporary restraining order to prevent the restaurant from serving liquor until it gets all its licenses. A hearing in DuPage County Court is planned for Thursday.

Roth said he expects the state license in the next couple of days.

At a City Council meeting in early November, city attorney Murphey said the city would act as Switzerland in the country club dispute. He described the disagreement as "nasty" and "rugged."

"Unless there is a quick reconciliation, this could be a long time, based on the paper and charges and countercharges," Murphey said.

In Darien's actions related to the liquor license, Murphey said the city didn't want to interrupt weddings and other important events planned at the restaurant's banquet facility.

Carriage Greens has promised not to interfere with such events.

"We understand that anyone should be allowed to apply for a liquor license if they so desire," Brian Broderick said in a statement to Patch on Tuesday. "But, it’s a process with many checks and steps. We are very frustrated that Heidi was allowed to serve alcohol and operate normally during the application process."

In 2019, a split City Council voted to give $366,000 to the country club, characterizing it as an economic development initiative.

According to the city, the money would be paid back from increased income from virtual golf revenue sharing as well as sales, amusement, food and beverage, and video gambling taxes.