Oak Park Store Where Drugs Allegedly Sold To Remain Closed

OAK PARK, IL — Oak Park officials voted unanimously Thursday to uphold a decision to revoke the business license for a convenience store where an employee allegedly sold heroin. Austin Pantry was indefinitely closed in September after store manager Edgar Lucas, 55, of the 300 block of LaTrobe Ave. in Chicago was charged with selling drugs while he was at work.

The village set up a special three-person board to hear the appeal made by the owner of Austin Pantry. Trustees James Taglia, Deno Andrews, and Dan Moroney made up the appeals board. In an email Thursday, Trustee Taglia told Patch that the board's original decision was upheld and facts and findings would be shared at the board's Oct.30 meeting.

After hearing that the board's decision was being appealed, Oak Park residents responded on social media in favor of the business staying closed. Members of the community group Suburban Unity Alliance raised concerns, saying the problem had been ongoing and speculating that a prior shooting at Chicago and Austin may have been linked to illegal activities at the store.

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