Still no alcohol allowed at Red Bar
The fate of the Red Bar Winery remains in limbo as owners scramble to get their liquor licenses in order.
Jim Canfield, a co-owner of the Elgin establishment, appeared at a Wednesday night liquor control commission meeting, where he was on the agenda to renew his license. Canfield asked for simultaneous approval of a corkage license, which would allow patrons to bring their own wine to complement their dinners.
“Failure to provide alcohol to my customers would probably mean our closure in a pretty short time,” Canfield said.
The Red Bar Winery, at 74 S. Grove Ave., has been closed all week, after an unsuccessful try at running the business without the liquor license that expired April 30. Canfield said he has had two weeks with basically no revenue in the lead up to the commission meeting.
The liquor commission was unable to grant Canfield the corkage license Wednesday because law requires liquor license applications be on the formal commission agenda for at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Corporation Counsel William Cogley said there was some confusion because Canfield submitted paperwork for two different licenses. It was city staff members’ understanding that the liquor license application was canceling out that of the corkage license, Cogley said.
Commission members, now the entire council, approved renewing the liquor license Wednesday. But Red Bar Winery cannot serve liquor until the state gives the same approval, which owners are currently negotiating to get. Canfield said he is trying to get on a payment plan to submit back taxes; once he pays enough, he’ll get his license.
The liquor commission will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. May 16 to discuss the corkage license. Once it is approved, Red Bar will immediately be able to allow patrons to bring their own wine.
Though Mayor David Kaptain said the city has done everything it can to help Canfield, the Red Bar owner — frustrated with the delay — just hopes it will be enough.
“This weekend might be the nail in the coffin,” Canfield said.