New Arlington Lanes owners get liquor license
Arlington Lanes, which is now under new ownership, got a recommendation for a new liquor license in Arlington Heights on Monday night despite concerns from one trustee.
Robert Kuhn, who also owns a bowling alley in Chicago, now owns Arlington Lanes, 3435 N. Kennicott. Arlington Lanes received a class DD liquor license, which will allow it to serve all kinds of liquor, wine and beer at the bowling alley's two bars and restaurant.
Kuhn said he and his employees will strictly monitor patrons to make sure they aren't allowing underage drinking.
Trustee Joe Farwell had concerns about some of Kuhn's ideas for enforcing drinking regulations, though.
Kuhn said that at his alley in Chicago, Timber Lanes, no one under 21 is allowed in after 6 p.m. While he said he plans to be more relaxed with age restrictions in Arlington Heights, if he encounters a problem he would consider making it an adult-only bowling alley after 8 p.m.
"I'm not crazy about the idea of you barring children, and 8 p.m. is too early," Farwell said.
Farwell referenced the village's discussions with Star Cinema Grill, the new movie theater and restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights.
When developers for Star Cinema Grill first came to the village, the company's owners wanted it to be an adult-only business but changed their proposal after pushback from village trustees who wanted the theater to be a family-friendly business.
Farwell wanted a motion included with the liquor license that if Kuhn was going to change the hours for certain ages then he would have to return to the village board for approval.
"You are an entertainment industry," Farwell said. "By not mirroring what we did with Star Cinema, I think it sets up what could be viewed as a double standard."
Other trustees disagreed.
"I have concerns with this village board telling each and every business owner that comes before us how to run their business," Trustee Thomas Glasgow said.
The recommendation for the liquor license passed without any age restrictions, although Farwell voted against it, and Trustee John Scaletta was absent from the meeting.
"Take what Trustee Farwell said to heart," Mayor Tom Hayes told Kuhn. "We want this business to be available for kids to enjoy as much as possible."
Arlington Lanes will be open to all ages going forward, owners said.