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Midtown Liquor proposes $150,000 tasting‑bar expansion; trustees wary of future video‑gaming plan
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Summary
A business consultant told the village board Midtown Liquor would invest about $150,000 to add a tasting bar and limited food service and asked the village to consider an on‑premises liquor license and a possible future video‑gaming area; trustees asked zoning and competition questions and agreed to place the request on the next agenda.
Parth Patel, a business consultant working with retail and restaurant owners, told the Manteno village board that Midtown Liquor — downtown — plans an interior renovation to add a tasting bar, limited food options and merchandising space and expects to invest about $150,000 in the project. He said the owners would seek an on‑premises (pouring) liquor license and are considering a separate, 21+ video‑gaming area in the future to help offset winter revenue fluctuations.
The proposal described an interior tasting bar where local wineries and breweries could offer samples and producers could showcase products, plus a modest food station (sandwiches and pizza slices supplied in part by local vendors) rather than a full restaurant kitchen. Patel said the owners would install a card‑access arrangement for any future gaming area so only patrons 21 or older could enter.
The board focused its questions on zoning, outdoor service and the business model. Trustees clarified that the village typically allows alcohol sales outside only for events such as Oktoberfest and that the tasting operations Patel described would be conducted indoors. Several trustees also questioned whether the expansion was primarily intended to support gaming revenue. “I kinda struggle and see this as not necessarily full truths… I think this is a ploy for gaming,” the chair said, urging caution about new gaming licenses. Patel responded that the owners would move ahead with many of the construction components regardless of an immediate gaming approval and sought only confirmation that a gaming option could be considered later.
Trustees raised competition concerns: one trustee said the proposed food collaboration could put added pressure on an adjacent restaurant (Silvano’s). Board members also asked for clearer plans showing where food preparation would occur; Patel said the plan calls for limited‑prep items (no deep fryers), delivered dough and a short cook time rather than a full commercial kitchen.
After the discussion the board agreed to place a liquor‑license request on the next regular meeting agenda and instructed staff to include materials that show the full scope (pouring license language and, separately, the gaming option) so the board can take a position. No final license was granted at the meeting.
The next procedural step: trustees will review the full application and accompanying plans at the upcoming meeting, where any formal license action would occur.
