Wheeling OKs $50,000 grant to help reopen longtime bar

The Old Munich Tavern in Wheeling will get $50,000 in village tax dollars to held fund exterior upgrades as part of a plan to reopen under new ownership.

Village board members approved a facade improvement grant this week intended to improve the appearance of the bar and restaurant at 582 N. Milwaukee Ave., along the village's "Restaurant Row."

The business previously was named Old Munich Inn before it closed in 2017.

Among the list of outside features to be upgraded are the exterior lighting, siding, awnings, wall signs, landscaping and a trash enclosure. The owners also will replace the existing septic system by connecting to the village's sewer lines and complete parking lot repairs.

"It's a very old building and hats off to you for taking the initiative to refurbish and bring this building back to life, because if you didn't it would've been torn down," Trustee Ray Lang told owner Bill Loumbardias during a village board meeting Monday.

In February, the village approved video gambling at the establishment, which is pending before the Illinois Gaming Board, and a liquor license. The bar did not previously have video gambling. At the time, Loumbardias said the bar could reopen by May. The latest estimated reopening date is now mid-December.

The village board voted unanimously to approved the grant. Trustee Ken Brady was absent.