Buffalo Grove lifts ban on BYOB
Buffalo Grove is lifting its ban on BYOB.
Village restaurants with liquor licenses can now apply for an ancillary license allowing patrons to bring their own bottle of wine to drink with their meals, under a measure approved by village trustees Monday. The added license will cost establishments $150.
Trustee Jeffrey Berman said he first raised the issue last month because he recently was at two local establishments that were allowing diners to bring their own alcohol, despite the practice being barred by village ordinances.
By allowing it and requiring a license, Berman said, the village and police department would be aware of who is engaging in the practice and enforce requirements they wish to impose on it.
"The restaurateurs appeared to find it advantageous to their business model," he added.
Berman noted that lifting the ban does not require restaurants to allow BYOB, it only allows them the option.
Trustee David Weidenfeld cast the only vote against removing the ban, saying he didn't see the need for allowing BYOB.
"We have people who were knowingly, willingly violating the liquor ordinance," he said. "Giving them sort of the legal path to do so doesn't seem like the best solution I have ever heard."