Local Liquor Control Commission approves Oakland Station name change and nonprofit ArtSpace liquor license

The Carbondale Local Liquor Control Commission on Monday approved two licensing actions: a requested operational name change for Still Woods LLC and the issuance of a not-for-profit on-premise secondary liquor license to Carbondale Community Arts Inc., doing business as ArtSpace Southern Illinois.

Staff told the commission the Still Woods property at 300 South Oakland Avenue notified the city of a reduction in owners and asked to change its operational name from Still Woods to Oakland Station. Staff said Title 2 of the Carbondale Revised Code requires only notification for a simple reduction in ownership but does require commission approval for an operational name change. Staff also said the city will issue an updated city liquor license and send a letter to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission; paperwork from the Secretary of State and evidence of the ownership change must be submitted to the state commission.

Commissioner Roberts moved to approve the name change; Commissioner Colombo seconded. Commissioner Roberts praised the property’s growth and said the name Oakland Station “hearkens back to the history” while supporting continued investment in the neighborhood. A roll-call vote recorded approval by all voting commissioners.

Separately, the commission approved a nonprofit on-premise secondary liquor license for Carbondale Community Arts Inc., which operates ArtSpace Southern Illinois on the strip at 607 South Illinois Avenue. Staff said the license classification allows a nonprofit to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption and that the fee depends on whether video gaming or alcohol revenues are the principal source of revenue (a non-video-gaming secondary-use license is $100; a license in the video-gaming tier would be $750). Staff recommended approval contingent on the applicant submitting outstanding items: a copy of the deed, a certificate of insurance, and an Illinois business authorization certificate for the new location. Commissioner Colombo moved to approve the license contingent on receipt of those documents; Commissioner Roberts seconded and the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Staff reminded the commission that, in addition to the city’s updated license, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission must receive a letter outlining the change in ownership and supporting evidence before the state’s records are updated.