Wheaton makes changes to liquor law, issues licenses

Liquor was the topic of four agenda items Monday at the Wheaton City Council meeting.

Before approving an outdoor special event liquor license for this year's Taste of Wheaton, the council agreed to amend the section of the liquor control ordinance dedicated to outdoor special events. The number of days liquor can be served at an event has been increased from three to four days, and the fee for the license is now $200 per day.

Beer and wine are still the only two types of alcohol that can be sold with the outdoor special event liquor license. Issuance of the license is also limited to Wheaton-based nonprofit organizations sponsoring the outdoor special event.

All those regulations apply to the Taste of Wheaton, which will be hosted by the Wheaton Park District. Alcohol will be sold in fenced off Memorial Park through the entire event, starting with a business after hours event at 2 p.m. on June 5 and ending with a new Sunday in the Park event at noon on June 8.

City officials said this is the 14th year the license was sought for this event.

The council also approved liquor licenses for two businesses. They included DuPage Pantry Plus at 238 N. Gables Blvd. - which must abide by restrictions that were recently added to the city's liquor control ordinance for liquor stores - and the yet-to-be-opened Dry City Brew Works at 120B N. Main St.

Beer cannot be sold in quantities of less than four cans or bottles and wine, and spirits cannot be sold in containers less than 750 milliliters at DuPage Pantry Plus, according to the license. The hours permitted for liquor sales at the store is from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Besides approving a liquor license for Dry City Brews Works, the city council also made an amendment to the Class O license classification, which allows for the manufacturing of beer for sale and consumption.

It is now available as a supplemental license for places like Dry City that already have a Class I or Class M license, which allows for the on-premise consumption of beer in a retail setting.