Girl persuades St. Charles council to reject mayor, liquor store

Residents fearing the impact of a new liquor store on their children spurred St. Charles aldermen into a rare break from the wishes of Mayor Ray Rogina Monday night.

Minesh Patel targeted 710 S. Third St., the former location of the St. Charles Mini-Mart, for the site of a liquor and tobacco store called Depot Liquor 2. His plan was to pour about $250,000 into purchasing and transforming the aging property into an establishment operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Patel's self-described mentor, Jerry Rosen of the Beverage Retailers Alliance of Illinois, told aldermen the liquor store would be an upgrade to the property.

"Right now, that store is a disaster," Rosen said. "It's in disrepair both inside and out. We want to make it a credit to the community and to the area and to the town."

Neighbors didn't buy that pitch. They cited Moody Park, across the street from the property, and the residential property totally surrounding the location as all the evidence needed to deny Patel's application.

Jenny Santos brought her daughter, Emma, to speak directly to the fears.

"Me and three of my friends walk to school and would have to pass the liquor store," Emma Santos said. "We like to hang out at the playground. We just don't feel safe going past something like that."

Aldermen, moved by Emma's comments, cited her testimony in expressing disdain for putting a liquor store in the middle of a residential neighborhood, especially one so vocally opposed to the business.

"I have only been an alderman here since early May, and there hasn't been one issue that's lit up my phone and email as much as this one," said Alderman Steve Gaugel. "And there's not one comment that's been raised in support of this."

Rogina then rose to deliver those supportive comments.

"I don't presume that anyone who would establish a business would be a blight to the neighborhood," Rogina said. "I don't think I've seen any concrete evidence that the impact is going to be negative. We just went through a comprehensive plan. The zoning, at some point, could have been changed. It hasn't. I have to, as liquor commissioner, as mayor, uphold our ordinance. I would recommend approval."

Rogina's support usually generates at least a majority of support from the city council. It didn't do that Monday night. Aldermen unanimously rejected the application.