Local Liquor Commission

January 11, 2024 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Pearse called the January 11, 2024 meeting of the Local Liquor Control Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street and via Zoom. Upon roll call, the following were present: Chair Pearse, Commissioner Taylor and Commissioner Whitmer. Absent: Commissioner Brown. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 14, 2023 Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to approved the minutes of the December 14, 2023 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS Election of Chairperson – 2024 Mr. Kozik stated that Section 2-258 of the City Code requires that each board, commission or committee shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as it may deem appropriate on an annual basis. He stated that such election shall take place at the first regularly scheduled meeting of each board, commission or committee following January 1 of each calendar year and that the chairperson shall serve for a term of one year or until their successor is elected. Commissioner Taylor moved and Ms. Whitmer seconded a motion to nominate Chair Pearse as Chair for 2024. On a voice vote, all vote aye. Application for a Class M Liquor License – Wildflower Mercantile, LLC – 134 W. Liberty Drive Mr. Kozik stated that Wildflower Mercantile, LLC has submitted an application for a Class M Liquor License to the City so they may offer wine for sale by the bottle and consumption on the premises to complement the houseware/entertaining/etc. offerings that they will sell in their store to be located at 134 W. Liberty Drive. Store owner Elizabeth DiJohn described her home goods/décor store to the Commission and stated that the sale of wine, will be but a small part of her business. Ms. DiJohn stated that everyone and anyone will be carded if they wish to purchase wine. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING January 11, 2024 Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to recommend that a Class M Liquor License be issued to Wildflower Mercantile LLC for their store to be located at 134 W. Liberty Drive. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. Application for a Class X Liquor License – Chic Geek LLC DBA The Babe Bodega – 132 W. Liberty Drive Mr. Kozik stated that Chic Geek LLC DBA The Babe Bodega has submitted an application for a Class X Liquor License to the City so they may offer alcoholic liquor for sale to patrons of the premises participating in the business’s craft making and other activities that will be occurring in their store to be located at 132 W. Liberty Drive. Store owner Joanna Jacobs described her hybrid craftmaking/salon business to the Board and stated that like the previous applicant, the sale of alcohol will be but a small part of her business. Ms. Jacobs stated she is familiar with the safe sale of alcohol as she was involved in establishing the cocktail portion of the restaurant Cadence Kitchen in Downtown Downers Grove In response to a question by Chair Taylor, Ms. Jacobs stated that ID’s will be checked for every customer wishing to purchase alcohol. Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to recommend a Class X Liquor License be issued to Chic Geek LLC DBA The Babe Bodega for their store to be located at 132 W. Liberty Drive. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Chair Pearse thanked Commissioner Sender and acknowledged his many years of service to Wheaton and the Commission. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development