‘This doesn’t pass the sniff test’: Proposal for new lounge in Mundelein encounters resistance over gambling

A plan to open a cocktail lounge with video gambling machines in downtown Mundelein encountered resistance during this week’s village board meeting.

Two entrepreneurs spoke to the board about launching the business at 440 E. Hawley St. They informally proposed a ground-floor lounge that would offer drinks and limited food options and also would have gambling machines.

The idea of a rooftop entertainment space was floated, too.

But village leaders insisted they won’t approve a village gambling license for any business that doesn’t operate primarily as a restaurant with a full, commercial kitchen.

One of the entrepreneurs said the concept would be similar to a Round Lake lounge called Lucky Stop. Lucky Stop’s Facebook page identifies it as a “gaming cafe,” which Trustee Erich Schwenk discovered while quickly researching the business online during Monday’s discussion.

That didn’t sit well with Schwenk, an outspoken opponent of video gambling in town.

“Frankly, this doesn’t pass the sniff test to me,” Schwenk said.

In the end, officials informally said they’d support awarding the proposed business a liquor license that excludes video gambling machines. The entrepreneurs would be welcome to apply for a gambling license once the lounge is operating, officials said — but only if it has a full kitchen.

“This is not going to be a gaming cafe,” Trustee Kara Lambert said.

Mayor Robin Meier expressed similar sentiments.

“Without a full kitchen and a full restaurant service, this probably isn’t the location for you,” Meier said.

The board took no action on the proposal. Meier gave the duo a liquor-license application packet before the board moved on to other business.

A video recording of Monday’s board meeting is available online at mundelein.org.