New Palatine liquor store to open in spring

A liquor store on the far northeast side of Palatine that closed about two years because of the criminal actions of its previous landlord is reopening this spring under new management, following approval Monday from the Palatine village council.

The store at 2387 N. Hicks Road, called Quick Liquors, likely will open in the next 90 to 120 days, said Jerome Pinderski, the attorney for store owner Ghayas Khan of Hoffman Estates. Khan also operates Community Spice Grill at 2391 N. Hicks Road, also in the Lake Cook Commons strip mall.

The strip mall used to be owned by Muhammad Amjad, who was convicted of selling stolen alcohol in 2011. Because of the conviction, village officials in 2013 refused to allow a liquor store in the strip mall, even though Amjad would only be the property's landlord.

Following lengthy foreclosure proceedings, the strip mall passed out of Amjad's ownership late last year, according to Pinderski.

Pinderski said Khan maintained an interest in opening the store throughout the foreclosure proceedings.

"He was paying some rent for the last two years to hold it," he said. "He thinks it is a good spot for a liquor store,"

The store's hours will be from 10 a.m. to midnight. In addition to selling packaged liquor, it will sell a small selection of bar tools and novelties, according to village documents.