Gaming Bar Concept's Liquor License Not OK'd By Homewood Council

HOMEWOOD, IL — The Homewood Village Board did not vote to approve a liquor license for a proposed bar and video gambling establishment at Southgate Plaza.

Ronakkumar Patel, who owns Family Wine & Liquor in Homewood, spoke to trustees Monday about his concept for a wine and microbrew bar with video gambling machines. He said the business would support local wineries and breweries.

The exact address he proposed is 18719 Dixie Highway, the current site of Pooch Parlor.

Village trustees asked Patel what kind of food would be offered at the bar, as the liquor license he requested requires 75 percent of sales to come from food. He told the Village Board there would be prepackaged food for sale at the proposed bar and food available from local restaurants, but did not have an estimate for how much revenue this might bring in.

No trustee made a motion to approve the liquor license. The Village Board encouraged Patel to open a wine bar, but members did not support the addition of video gambling. Patel said the gaming aspect was something that would be unique to his concept.