Elgin's Gasthaus denied outdoor liquor permit; several others OK'd
Two Mexican restaurants might be resurrected soon in Elgin while the Gasthaus Zur Linde bar — whose owner has a pending lawsuit against the city — was denied a permit to serve liquor outdoors.
The city's liquor control commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a liquor license for Casa Lara restaurant at 7 Clock Tower Plaza, next to Butera Market. The commission is made up of all nine city council members. Councilman John Steffen was absent.
The now-closed Casa Lara had not been serving food due to kitchen problems and didn't renew its liquor license when it was up, Corporation Counsel Bill Cogley said. New restaurant owner Rita Orozco, who said she lives in New York and is buying a home in Elgin, said she has no connection to the previous owners. The restaurant will also offer live music, she said.
The liquor commission postponed granting a liquor license to Azteca de Oro restaurant at 260 National St., whose plan includes an ice cream shop and banquet hall. The building has been vacant for more than two years.
Commissioners Terry Gavin and John Prigge expressed concerns that the restaurant would turn into a nightclub, so the commission decided to wait to make a decision until the new owners are present and can answer questions.
Commissioners unanimously turned down the Gasthaus' request to serve liquor outdoors. The bar was granted such permits in previous summers, except last year when it didn't request one, Cogley said.
Gasthaus owner Marco Muscarello filed a lawsuit in March seeking to stop the redevelopment of the nearby Tower Building into apartments.
The Gasthaus is the only restaurant with a license to stay open until 3 a.m., but its sales receipts show that more than 92 percent of its profits derive from alcohol, Cogley said. Also, police have responded to several reports of fights and batteries, most recently April 10, all occurring after 2 a.m. outside the bar, he said.
This has been a long-standing problem, said Commissioner Rose Martinez, who added she called police to report fights at least three times before 2013 when she worked at the post office. “I was just so incensed this was happening in our town,” she said.
Liquor licenses can be suspended or revoked if more than 10 incidents of disorderly conduct, fighting or other criminal activity take place within a year inside establishments. The six incidents dating back to February 2014 described by Cogley all took place outside. Commissioners decided they wanted to request the Gasthaus owners to attend the next meeting in June to discuss the matter.
Attorney Charles Muscarello, son of Marco Muscarello, said he had no comment regarding the commission's denial.
Dog's Paw Brewing at 74 S. Grove Ave. also was granted a liquor license. “We want to be part of this community,” owner Iran Garcia said, later adding, “The love and respect I received from this city is unbelievable.”
Garcia said he's shooting for a June opening. “We're interviewing now and hope to find all our kitchen staff,” he said. “That's going to determine our opening date.”
The Dog's Paw Brewing location initially was going to be home to a different bar called Abe Froeman's, a joint enterprise between Garcia and former partner Tyrrell Tomlin, who parted ways.
Solo restaurant and wine bar at 13 Douglas Ave. also got a permit to sell alcohol outdoors. The restaurant's plan is to have five tables with seating for 16, Cogley said.
Cafe Roma at 2175 Point Boulevard, off Randall Road and I-90, got a permit to sell liquor on its outdoor patio.