Previously denied Elgin store tries again for liquor permit

The owners of Ram Food in Elgin are trying again for a liquor sales permit after they were turned down a little over a year ago.

Franklin Alrich and his wife Suze Sarrazin of Carpentersville, the owners of the convenience store at 725 W. Chicago St., had presented 27 letters from residents and business owners, and 141 signatures on a petition, all in support of their proposal to sell beer and wine. The city received only one letter against that.

The city council, however, cast a split vote in November 2013 with one council member abstaining. Among the "no" votes was Anna Moeller, who has since resigned to become a state representative.

At the time, city staff members said liquor sales would be harmful in an at-risk neighborhood and close to homes and Washington Elementary School.

The store submitted on Dec. 16 an application for a conditional use permit for packaged liquor sales, Elgin senior planner Sarosh Saher said. The planning and zoning commission will conduct a public hearing on the matter, likely in March.

Alrich and Sarrazin are collecting new letters of support, said their attorney Jack Kozar of Elmhurst.

"(Alrich) owns a nice business. He's very hands on; he's always over there," he said. "In order to compete, he needs to sell liquor, the same or similar products as others. He doesn't have any issue in terms of violations with the city, and he's got a very good reputation in town."

JJ Peppers on Route 31, and Super Saver Foods and Neighborhood Package Liquors, both on Walnut Avenue, all sell liquor about a half mile away.

Alcoholic beverages at Ram Food will be either in a cooler, under the eye of security cameras, or behind the counter, he said. Kozar said he invites any opponents of the plan to talk to him about their concerns. "I'd be happy to sit down with anybody."

Police Deputy Chief Bill Wolf said the police department hasn't had any major issues at Ram Food since the owners last petitioned the city.