Elgin OK's liquor license for Gifford's Kitchen and Social
Despite a lawsuit filed against it last week, a new restaurant in Elgin plans to open Monday after being granted a liquor license by the city.
The building at 2300 Bushwood Drive is owned by Rich Turasky, whose wife, Melissa, was issued a liquor license for the new restaurant, Gifford's Kitchen and Social. Mayor David Kaptain said he signed off on the liquor license Thursday morning after a majority "yes" vote by the liquor control commission - which comprises the entire city council - Wednesday night.
Rich Turasky, president of Capital Companies LLC in Elgin, bought the building on Bushwood Drive in 2016.
The Turaskys, Capital Companies LCC and 2300 Bushwood LLC are named in a lawsuit filed May 3 in Kane County by Steve Dattomo, who had wanted to open a different restaurant in the building, court records show.
Dattomo received approval for a liquor license in April 2017, but never obtained an occupancy permit.
The liquor commission was poised to approve a liquor license for Turasky last month, when Dattomo made an appearance and objected, saying his 10-year lease that started in May 2017 was still valid.
The commission decided to postpone its vote to May and Dattomo's liquor license approval expired April 29, Kaptain said. That cleared the way to approve a new liquor license for Turasky, contingent on the outcome of the lawsuit, Kaptain said.
"If they lose that, then they have no liquor license," he said.
Rich Turasky, Dattomo and Dattomo's lawyer did not return a call for comment Thursday. Consultant Gina Delmonico-Williams, who previously answered questions on behalf of Gifford's Kitchen and Social, also didn't return a request for comment.
An employee who answered the restaurant's phone Thursday said it's currently open by invite only and will open to the public Monday.
Court records show Dattomo also petitioned for a restraining order seeking to prevent the opening of Gifford's Kitchen and Social. Both parties are due in court May 22.