Hoffman Estates sets class for 3 a.m. liquor licenses
The business of boozing could become more expensive in Hoffman Estates.
The village board Monday debated creating a new class AAA liquor license specifically for bars and restaurants to extend last call until 3 a.m. The current licensing hierarchy makes no such distinction.
The board's thinking was that most establishments don't make full use of the license, as owners elect to close before 3 a.m. Board officials identified three bars - America's Bar, 2308 W. Higgins Road; First Place Sports Bar and Grill, 1736 W. Algonquin Road; and Neighborhood Inn, 2322 Hassell Road - as the only places within village limits that serve alcohol until 3 a.m.
"Some establishments don't really need a 3 a.m. license," Mayor William McLeod said.
The cost of the AAA licenses would be $5,000 annually. That's more double the price for the class A license, which is currently commonly issued. The class A license allows a bar to keep serving alcohol until 1 a.m., and would cost $2,400.
The village board gave preliminary approval to the creating the new license, voting 6-1, with Trustee Raymond Kincaid voting against. The board would have to again vote on the matter at a future meeting for approval. If approved, the new ordinance would go into affect May 2009.
Kincaid reasoned that the increase was too much for bar and restaurant owners to deal with in the current economic climate. Trustee Cary Collins had a different take.
"Your making more money with the extra hour, so you can afford it," he said.
Kincaid added that late-night bars shouldn't be given a bad wrap as plenty of people regularly work later shifts.
In other alcohol-related matters, the village board did give unanimous final approval to increasing the number of class A liquor licenses issued from 43 to 46. That's to accommodate requests from three new eateries set to open on the village's west side: Asta LaPasta, Red Robin and Chipotle. The board also voted to increase the number of class B liquor license from 10 to 11. The extra license for stores is earmarked for 3D Liquor and Cigar. The liquor commission approved 3D's request for a license at a May 5 hearing.