La Grange Carnival Divides Downtown Merchants

LA GRANGE, IL – The La Grange Carnival has been in the same spot for nearly three decades. The village usually approves its permit without controversy.

Not this time.

In recent months, the event's sponsor, the La Grange Business Association, has faced resistance from some businesses over the carnival's location.

It is on Harris Avenue between La Grange Road and Ashland Avenue. It is set for June 2-4 this year.

The Elm and Mak's House restaurants are among those opposed to the site. They also have security concerns.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Dan Spain, The Elm's owner, said he loses many of his regular customers during the carnival.

Spain, who was on the association's board for two years, said he knew the carnival was a big fundraiser for the group. He urged its leadership to "just be forthright."

"I'm disappointed in the way the La Grange Business Association, of which I'm no longer on the board, has presented the facts," he said.

A letter from Kevin Mulyran, owner of Mak's House, was read at the meeting. He said his customers take "liquor to go" out the front and back doors during the carnival. One year, he said, a fight happened.

"Does the village want to pay my invoice for the extra security I must hire?" Mulyran said. "I also have a problem with the LGBA's disregard for the businesses that disagree with anything they do. The LGBA does what it wants when it wants... I pay to be a part of it, but I wonder to myself, 'For what?'"

At the meeting, Stephanie Posey, president of the association's board, said the group has worked to engage members. The group, she said, has been able to get 75 more parking spaces that are normally unavailable during the carnival.

"We heard there was a petition circulating among the restaurants and retail on La Grange Road, Harris Avenue and Calendar Avenue and that there were some concerns," Posey said. "They were requesting that we move and cancel the carnival altogether."

The association's leaders, she said, contacted the petition signers. And the group held a well-attended forum at Palmer Place to gather businesses' views about the carnival.

"We wanted to make sure this was a transparent process and get as much input from the businesses directly impacted by special events," she said.

Trustee Beth Augustine, who attended the forum, said the carnival should occur as planned this year. But she said leaders should consider changing the site next year or scaling it back.

"I'm having a hard time with this issue," she said.

Augustine called the association an "amazing group," saying she had hoped for a resolution before the issue reached the Village Board.

"I hate to see the division because this is such a strong group," Augustine said.

The board unanimously approved the permit for the carnival. Trustees Michael Kotynek and Shawana McGee were absent.