Palatine OKs plan to replace convenience store with liquor shop

The Palatine village council has approved plans for new Armanetti's liquor store to occupy the space of a former convenience store on the south side of town.

The store will open in an approximately 3,500-square-feet space in a shopping center at 44 W. Illinois Ave., under the proposal approved by the council Monday.

The property's owner, Rick Heidner, said facade and landscaping improvements will be made to the center.

"So literally, when you guys say that this is OK, then we'll start plans right away." he said. "And when I say immediate, I mean, like within the next two, three weeks, we'll be starting."

His plans include painting the entire facade and all the metal trim around it, and patching, sealcoating and striping the parking lot, as well as repainting light poles and the main sign.

District 2 council member Scott Lamerand, said he was concerned about the use of signs in the store's windows.

"This is in the middle of a residential area. I'd rather not see any type of neon sign," he said.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the liquor code requires 50% of the window to remain open.

Corey Kelly, the builder and designer, pledged that the store's windows would not be filled with signs.

"It will be different than obviously the liquor stores you've seen where it looks like a flea market or a raffle (with) everything in the windows filling it up," he said. "It will be more like a bar than a liquor store where the bar does have limited signage in there."