Local Liquor Commission

October 10, 2024 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Pearse called the October 10, 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: Commissioner Brown, Chair Pearse and Commissioner Whitmer. Absent: Commissioner Laird and Commissioner Taylor. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 15, 2024 Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to approved the minutes of the August 15, 2024 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS Application for a Class U Liquor License – Dolly’s Lounge, LLC d/b/a Dolly’s – 110 E. Wesley Street Mr. Kozik stated that Dolly’s Lounge, LLC d/b/a Dolly’s has applied for a Class U Liquor License (Craft Cocktail Lounge) for their new craft cocktail lounge to be located in the space formerly occupied by Edward Jones at 110 E. Wesley Street. Mr. Kozik stated that the Class U Liquor License classification, which defines a craft cocktail lounge, provides standards for the license classification as well as fees and hours of business was reviewed by the Local Liquor Control Commission at its August meeting and approved by the Mayor and City Council on September 16, 2024. Mr. Kozik stated that a condition of the Class U License requires that a licensee must offer and have available at all times that alcoholic liquor is available for consumption, a menu which includes food more substantial than bar snacks such as nuts, pretzels, chips or the like. Mr. Kozik stated that Dolly’s will have a full kitchen and has provided a sample food menu for the Commission’s review. Mr. Kozik stated that the prospective licensee’s application complies with all of the other restrictions and qualifications of the Class U License Classification. Owner Lori Mesa described the concept for her business to the Commission. Ms. Mesa stated that she owns the building and the antique jewelry business that is the other tenant in her building. Ms. Mesa stated that the lounge will have a intimate feel and will have a drinks menu of natural wines, classic cocktails and the food menu will have an extensive selections of small plates. When questioned by Commissioner Brown, Ms. Mesa stated that the lounge will not have any televisions. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING October 10, 2024 Ms. Mesa stated that while she herself has no restaurant experience, her brother-in-law, who has over 25 years of restaurant management experience, will be manager of Dolly’s. Ms. Mesa further stated that they will be hiring a professional chef to run the kitchen operations. When questioned about the responsible sale of alcohol, Ms. Mesa stated the Class U license prohibits persons under the age of 21 to be allowed on the premises and they will have signs posted to that affect. In addition, Ms. Mesa stated that all servers will be Basset trained as required by law and pass the internal training program they will have in place. Commissioner Brown questioned Ms. Mesa about the name of the business. Ms. Mesa stated that the business is named after her mother, who proceeded her in the running of the family jewelry business. Hearing no further questions or comments, Commissioner Whitmer moved and Commissioner Brown seconded a motion to recommend that a Class U Liquor License be issued to Dolly’s Lounge, LLC d/b/a Dolly’s at 110 E. Wesley Street. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development