East Dundee gas station allowed to serve beer, wine to make way for video gambling

An East Dundee gas station will be able to serve beer and wine with the creation of a new liquor license that could also bring video gambling to the station.

Trustees approved the new “package and pour” liquor license class, but not before placing restrictions on new establishments with video gambling.

Dundee Marathon gas station owner Jay Pastakia requested the new license to better compete with other fueling stations that can have video gambling because they are considered truck stops. Under state law, fueling stations that are considered truck stops can apply for a video gaming license. The “package and pour” license would allow Pastakia to apply even though his fueling station does not qualify as a truck stop.

“We're so excited,” Pastakia said after trustees approved the new license class.

He must still apply for a state gaming license but is hopeful he will have video gaming terminals in his gas station, located at 305 E. Main Street, this fall.

Pastakia will have to comply with the village's new restrictions on video gaming.

The new restrictions, which do not apply to existing establishments with video gaming terminals, limit the number of video gaming terminals to one for every 750 square feet of public space. Establishments with video gaming must also be at least 3,000 square feet to be eligible for a video gaming license and agree to control the volume on the terminals so that the noise does not emanate beyond the area occupied by the player and machine.

Under those restrictions, Pastakia would be allowed up to four video gaming terminals if approved by the state.

The new liquor license will allow for the consumption of packaged beer and wine on the premise from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., which also will be the same hours for video gaming. Hours for to-go sales of packaged liquor will remain unchanged.