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New billiards and entertainment business asks council to amend gaming ordinance to allow more pool tables
Summary
An entrepreneur seeking to open a large restaurant-and-entertainment venue in downtown LaSalle asked the council to consider amending the city gaming ordinance to allow more than the current two pool tables per establishment.
Amber French, one of the owners of Bakeshop Sports Bar & Grill, asked the LaSalle City Council to consider changes to the city’s gaming ordinance so her proposed business at 235 Third Street can operate as a combined restaurant, family entertainment venue and billiard hall.
French said the building is about 28,000 square feet and she envisions a family-friendly restaurant area plus a separate bar and a dedicated billiard/gaming area that would, when hosting professional events, require far more than the two pool tables currently allowed under the city’s gaming code. She told the council she plans for tournament play and described needed equipment counts — “21 seven-foot tables and 11 nine-foot tables” — to meet pro tournament minimums.
Why it matters: the business would require a local ordinance change to host pool-tournament play and to operate both family-oriented spaces and 21-and-older areas in the same facility. The council directed staff to draft potential ordinance language for consideration at the next meeting and asked French to bring business documentation.
Council and staff discussion City staff told the council the current municipal gaming ordinance allows a maximum of two pool tables per establishment and earlier provisions may also require signed parental waivers for minors inside a billiard hall. The city attorney and other staff said the ordinance dates back a decade or more and might need updating; staff also noted the council will need to check state gaming statutes for any preemption or related restrictions.
French said she has been working with city staff on liquor-license and procedural steps and that she will provide a business plan and other requested details at the council’s next meeting. The council indicated support for drafting amendment language and asked French to return with documentation in two weeks.
Attributions and quotes - "We plan on being a family friendly establishment... We plan on being a full bar restaurant," Amber French said when describing the planned uses. - On the number of tables required for pro events, French said, "21 seven-foot tables and 11 nine-foot tables."
Next steps Staff offered to draft ordinance language and review state gaming statutes; the council asked the city attorney and relevant staff to prepare a proposed amendment for consideration at the next meeting. French was asked to provide a business plan and additional materials for that meeting.
Provenance: the topic began during public comment (Amber French’s remarks) and concluded with the council asking staff to prepare draft ordinance language and asking the owner to return with a business plan.
