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Wheeling trustees approve two gaming-café liquor transfers, annual renewals and a June event permit
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Summary
On April 20, 2026, the Village of Wheeling approved two separate liquor-license transfers for Xena Gaming Cafe locations, a batch renewal of annual liquor licenses (bringing the total to 71 licensed businesses), and a Class I permit allowing alcohol sales at the June 27 "Rock and Run the Runway" event, each subject to standard conditions.
Wheeling trustees on April 20 approved the transfer of liquor licenses for two existing video-gaming cafes and completed the village’s annual batch renewal of liquor licenses, while also granting a one-day event license for a June celebration.
Manager Fondellis told the board the petitions cover purchases of two existing establishments — one at 860 South Wheeling Road and one at 216 McHenry Road — and recommended approval with four conditions: submittal of a certificate of liquor liability insurance, a full-term lease for the premises, satisfactory background checks for responsible parties, and payment of all applicable fees. "As the titles indicate, we are discussing tonight, the purchase of 2 existing NV gaming cafes," Fondellis said, and noted a batch renewal would leave the village with 71 licensed businesses.
Trustees approved item 6a (860 South Wheeling Road) on a roll call vote that recorded six yes votes and one no. They then approved item 6b (216 McHenry Road) in a separate roll call, also passing by a 6–1 margin. The board approved the annual renewals (item 6c) as a batch motion with the conditions Fondellis listed; the batch renewal passed unanimously.
The board also granted a Class I license to permit beer and mixed cocktails at the village’s evening July 4 celebration moved to June 27 for the Rock and Run the Runway event, with the applicant required to submit liquor liability insurance and BASSET/server certificates before the license is finalized. Fondellis said hours for alcohol sales would be limited to the event’s open-to-close window, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The approvals carry the standard documentation conditions; trustees emphasized compliance and asked staff to share reminder materials with licensees. Trustee Lang asked staff to provide a poster or letter for employee areas reminding staff about ID checks and periodic compliance checks; Fondellis said the village would resend a reminder letter similar to one distributed in January.
Votes at a glance: item 6a (860 S. Wheeling Road) — approved (6 yes, 1 no); item 6b (216 McHenry Road) — approved (6 yes, 1 no); item 6c (2026–2027 batch renewals) — approved unanimously; Class I event license for 06/27/2026 — approved unanimously.
The approvals are conditional on the documentation and background checks listed by staff; trustees did not amend those conditions during the meeting.
