St. Charles closer to approving BYOB licenses, massage businesses

The first licensed massage businesses and bring-your-own-booze establishments in St. Charles are one vote away from approval.

Aldermen granted preliminary approval to license three BYOB establishments Monday, along with liquor licenses for three other establishments.

The E&S Fish Company, at 311 N. Second St., and Liu Brothers Bistro, at 1554 E. Main St. are the first recipients of the city's new F1 BYOB license. That license allows patrons to bring in one, six-pack size package of beer or one bottle of wine into the establishment for consumption. The LaVita Cigar Inc. shop at 2015 Dean St., is the first recipient of the F2 BYOB license, which allows customers to bring in packaged beer, wine or spirits for consumption.

The three businesses have already been in operation in the city for some time. However, aldermen created the new BYOB license structure at the start of the year because Police Chief James Keegan was uncomfortable with the lack of city or state regulations on the operations of those establishments. Among other provisions, the new licenses require the businesses to have insurance and specifically delineate what types of alcohol can be consumed and in what quantity.

The Steel Beam Theatre, the new Finery & Blacksmith Bar, and the long-standing Gina's Subs & Pizza shop also received preliminary approval for liquor licenses.

Aldermen also granted preliminary approval to nine licenses for massage businesses in the city. Like the liquor licenses, all nine businesses have already been operating the city. After a string of prostitution arrests at massage businesses, aldermen created a new licensing program with an eye toward a crackdown on any illicit activity. Police vetted all nine establishments, including background checks, before recommending them for licenses to the city council Monday night.

“We've moved ahead of the curve here on this point,” Mayor Ray Rogina said. “Now they must purchase a license that has standards. We're in position to say that if you move away from those standards, you are subject to penalties.”

Aldermen Steve Gaugel suggested the massage licenses are only the first step of the process for what he'd like to see. Gaugel said there should be a “zero-tolerance policy” in place for illegal activity at massage businesses.

Rogina said he's open to further discussion, but he believes the current licensing system allows for the mayor and aldermen to have a heavy hand if and when violations occur.

“I don't have any problem making the penalty severe,” Rogina said. “What you're doing here tonight is making the work for the police a lot easier and making the process a lot more efficient so that if (crime) happens we can take care of it quickly.”

The full city council must take one final vote on all the licenses before they are granted.