Restaurant owner gets Arlington Heights liquor license on second try
A new Arlington Heights restaurant, Rusty J's, was approved for a liquor license on Monday night after an earlier proposal by the same owner was turned down by the village board earlier this fall.
Ilias Horitos, who has a history managing gentleman's clubs, was refused a liquor license for Bottles and Barrels, 1609 W. Campbell, in September when board members had too many questions about his background and business plan, saying it seemed more like a bar than a restaurant.
With a new name — Rusty J's — and a changed business plan aimed more toward families, Horitos received approval on Monday night. He also had the support of a consulting group that also represents Lettuce Entertain You and representation from Steve Daday, a former village trustee,
Rusty J's will have 108 seats and will serve mostly American cuisine. Horitos removed the pool tables and high-top tables and will not have any live entertainment at the restaurant.
“I want a comfortable place where ladies and gents can come with families to sit down to have a nice meal, a drink if they choose to, relax and go home,” Horitos said. “I'm not out to make money off liquor.”
Consultants said 75 percent to 80 percent of the money will come from food.
Trustees still put the restaurant and the owner through a strict round of questioning about his background, financing and business plan.
“I think you really understand how strict we are with our liquor licenses and how with just a quick fall of a gavel it fan be taken away,” said Trustee Joe Farwell. Farwell questioned the uniform of employees, which Horitos said will be jeans and polo shirts for all staff.
Trustee Tom Glasgow voted against the license because he said he still had questions about the restaurant and Horitos, who he said wasn't entirely honest about his employment history in his original application.
Mayor Tom Hayes, who also acts as the village's liquor commissioner, said the extensive inquiry, which often went into detailed questions about how the business would run, was not just because of Horitos' background.
“You're not going to be singled out because of any past history, but expect the same treatment that any business would get,” Hayes said. “We expect you to live up to our laws and standards here in Arlington Heights.”
Horitos said he hopes to have the restaurant open by early next month.