Closed Indian restaurant in Palatine surrenders liquor license
An Indian restaurant in Palatine that was accused of not taking precautions to prevent illegal drug sales on the premises and allowing another restaurant to operate in its building without a license has formally ended its operation in the village.
Village council members this week approved an ordinance to reduce by one the number of Class D liquor licenses as a result of the closure of India Bhawan at 1280 E. Dundee Road. That license classification, which cost $3,477 this year, allows alcohol sales for consumption only inside a restaurant during certain hours seven days a week.
"This just finalizes it for our code," Deputy Village Manager Michael Jacobs said of the council's action.
Under an agreed order entered into with the village in November, the 2-year-old restaurant was required to shutter by Dec. 31 and return its liquor license instead of proceeding with a hearing on potential sanctions.
Palatine officials ordered the restaurant closed for a week in May as a result of code violations. Village police reports from July say a confidential informant called attention to alleged cocaine dealing and after-hours alcohol sales at the unlicensed Mexican restaurant.