New Mexican restaurant could open in historic Elgin building

A downtown Elgin building significant in the city's history is expected to get a new infusion of life with a new restaurant and banquet hall.

Benjamin Perez of Cicero, who said he owns two Mexican restaurants in Chicago and Palatine, wants to open Fiesta Mexicana at 50 N. Spring St., which has been mostly vacant for nearly three years.

The building, known as the Scofield mansion, was Gail Borden's first home from 1894, after the library had existed in rented rooms downtown, until 1968.

Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger called it "a very beloved historic building" during a liquor control commission meeting Wednesday.

"I think the community would love to have some updates because it's looking a little run down," she said. "It needs some loving care."

The building most recently held La Quebrada restaurant from 2006 to 2013, when its liquor license was revoked following violations including sale of liquor to minors and sale of cocaine to patrons. There seems to have been sporadic activity in the banquet hall since then, city officials said.

The liquor commission voted 7-1 to issue liquor licenses to Perez, under the name Benara Corporation, after getting assurances from him and his attorney Baldemar Lopez that building owner Humberto Rodriguez, who operated La Quebrada, will not be involved in the operations of the new business. Perez said he's known Rodriguez for about a year.

"We plan on being friendly citizens in the Elgin area," Lopez said. "We'll make sure we run the facility in a professional fashion."

The restaurant and banquet facility will be family-oriented, just like his other two restaurants, Perez said, adding he hopes to open in early November as soon as the city council grants final approval of the liquor licenses.

His attorney said there are no plans to use it as a nightclub for at least five years.

Elgin Corporation Counsel Bill Cogley said Perez's current restaurants are in good standing with their respective municipalities.

Councilman John Prigge, who cast the only dissenting vote, said he's worried about the building owner's history.

Councilman Rich Dunne was absent.

Prigge also asked whether there is enough parking to serve 680 people, the total capacity of the restaurant and banquet hall.

Cogley said there are no parking requirements for businesses downtown, where there is ample street and deck parking.

The business will ensure it will not serve alcohol to minors by training bartenders and wait staff, and monitoring closely both tables and bar lines, Lopez said.

The restaurant will offer fresh, authentic Mexican food, said Perez, adding he hopes to perform outside renovations to the building, pending approval by the city.

"I think this is huge that we are filling an empty building downtown with a viable business that will serve the community," Councilman Terry Gavin said.

Mayor David Kaptain told Perez he should ensure the liquor license requirement that at least 50 percent of revenues come from food.