Elgin grocery store OK'd for beer and wine sales
A mom-and-pop grocery store in Elgin was granted a permit to sell beer and wine on its second try after almost 150 nearby residents and business owners signed a petition of support.
Ram Food at 725 W. Chicago, owned by Franklin Alrich and his wife Suze Sarrazin, got the approval in a 6-2 vote by the city council on Wednesday. Councilmen Rich Dunne and Terry Gavin voted against; Councilman Toby Shaw was absent.
"Almost every person that signed the petition lives within a few blocks of this business," Mayor David Kaptain said, including business owners such as South Elgin Village President Steve Ward, whose barber shop is across the street. "They are the ones who are going to be impacted the most."
The owners' first request was turned down in a split vote in November 2013. At the time, city staff members said liquor sales would be harmful in an at-risk neighborhood and close to Washington Elementary School. But this time, Community Development Director Marc Mylott said added measures satisfied those concerns.
Alcoholic beverages at Ram Food will be kept in a two-by-eight foot cooler without any advertising either inside or outside, Mylott said. Store hours are limited to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekend, and check cashing will not take place after 8 p.m. on Fridays an Saturdays, he said.
Also, the owners are consulting with the police department on the best use of their surveillance system. They will replace pavement on their property with grass and landscaping, and remove the curb cut along Chicago Street.
"It is a business that will be under the microscope because they've been here in front of us twice," Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger said.
Customers have been asking for beer and wine, Sarrazin said. "It is not so much for the money in alcohol (sales). It is because no matter what, I try my best to give customers what they want," she said.
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.
Three residents spoke against the petition, including Evelyn Chapman, who said liquor sales would create a "minefield" for students who walk by. "I don't think anyone on the council would vote for this license if it was your neighborhood and it was one block away," she said.
But resident Paul McGinley said the owners are "really great people" who take good care of their store and customers. "We want to see them make it," he said.
Gavin called it a "difficult decision" that ultimately had him side with concerned neighbors. Dunne said it was not in the best interest of the neighborhood.
Councilman John Steffen pointed out the store owners will have to be issued a liquor license subject to renewal every year. "I'm going to give it a chance and I think they will do well."