Wheeling approves new liquor licenses and special-use permits for two Town Center restaurants

The village approved two related moves Thursday to expand alcohol-serving businesses in Wheeling Town Center, clearing conditional liquor licensing and linked special-use permits for Experience Breakfast & Lunch and Finn McCool’s.

Experience Breakfast & Lunch, an existing restaurant at 419 West Dundee Road operated by M and N Restaurant Group LLC, received a recommendation from liquor-control staff for a Class B liquor license; approval by the Liquor Control Commission was made conditional on an ordinance from the board of trustees creating the new license class, submission of BASSET certificates, an executed lease, payment of fees and satisfactory background checks. Nana Stepanovic identified herself as the petitioner for the Experience Breakfast request during the Liquor Control hearing.

Finn McCool’s, proposed at 371–373 West Dundee Road by 373 West Dundee Road, Inc., won village approval to operate as a tavern and to host assembly/banquet-style events. Petitioner representatives said the concept is an expansion of the Moretti’s family operations and will occupy space previously used by Mia’s Cantina and Arctic Spoon. Staff noted the special-use approvals were recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission with several conditions, including that all assembly events and alcohol service occur inside the building, that overhead doors be closed by 10 p.m. (with limited exceptions via special-event permits), and that business and liquor licenses be filed and approved prior to operation.

Commissioners and trustees discussed outdoor seating and operating hours for the Finn McCool’s location. The liquor-control hearing earlier in the evening noted the standard late-night license could allow service until 2 a.m., but village staff and trustees said the linked special-use for outdoor dining limits outdoor seating hours to 10 p.m. Staff said applicants would have to comply with that restriction. The petitioner said they plan to model hours on Moretti’s and hoped to open in early November, subject to permits and construction.

Both items were approved by roll-call votes after motions from trustees and commissioners; commissioners recorded unanimous yes votes among those present. The approvals are conditioned on administrative and licensing steps described by staff.

Why it matters: These approvals expand late-night dining and entertainment options in Wheeling Town Center and reflect coordinated review between the Liquor Control Commission, the Planning and Zoning recommendation and the board of trustees. Conditions attached by staff and trustees — including indoor-only rules for assembly events and restrictions on outdoor seating hours — are intended to limit impacts on adjacent residences.

What happens next: Applicants must submit required BASSET/BASSET-equivalent certificates, business and liquor license applications, pay fees, clear background checks and secure any building permits and special-event permits before full operations can begin.

Speakers referenced in this article were recorded in the meeting transcript and include: President Hawker; Commissioner Vito; Commissioner Krueger; Commissioner Vogel; Trustee Papantos; Swan Dhillis (village staff presenting liquor items); Nana Stepanovic (petitioner for Experience Breakfast); Finn McCool’s representatives (unnamed owner during public remarks); Ross (village staff who referenced outdoor hours in linked special-use); and community development staff presenting the special-use items.

Votes at a glance: The Liquor Control Commission approved a conditional Class B liquor license recommendation for Experience Breakfast & Lunch (moved by Trustee Krueger, second Commissioner Vogel; roll call: unanimous yes among commissioners present). The village board approved special-use ordinances and linked items for Finn McCool’s to operate a tavern and an assembly/banquet use (motions carried by roll call; conditions recorded in the staff recommendation).