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Kenosha licensing panel approves multiple liquor and cabaret licenses, defers several applications
Summary
The Kenosha Licensing and Permits Committee on June 22 approved a series of operator, liquor and cabaret licenses, granted a taxi driver license, and deferred several applications for additional information or applicant absence. A separate hearing on a contested operator license resulted in a recommendation for suspension.
The Kenosha Licensing and Permits Committee approved several license applications and renewals at its June 22 meeting while deferring others for missing information or applicant absence.
The committee granted a taxi driver license to Sonia Canaan, who said financial hardship and a lack of a personal vehicle prompted her application. The committee approved two operator license renewals, effective July 1, 2026, subject to assessed demerit points (10 for Justine Blodstorf; 50 for Suzanne Cruz), and moved both recommendations forward to the mayoral appointment process.
Elon Events LLC — represented by Chantal Ramirez Garcia and Aaron Ramirez Garcia — won committee approval for a new Class B liquor license for a planned larger downtown wedding venue; the applicants said they hope to open in September. The committee also approved a yearly cabaret license for MLJ Kenosha LLC, moving its probationary transfer to a full yearly authorization after confirming prior compliance.
Not all requests succeeded: the committee deferred Samantha Moore’s application for a new operator license and asked that she provide additional, non‑related references; the committee reminded applicants that past incidents are considered alongside current employment and references. Fantas Food Store LLC’s application for a Class A beer license was deferred after the applicant failed to appear; committee members voted 2–1 to defer so the applicant could attend. Salon D’Amonte LLC’s probationary cabaret application was deferred so committee members could question the applicant in person.
The committee discussed grounds for revocation when reviewing Marsh Petro LLC’s renewal for 4433 22nd Avenue. The owner said construction and personal circumstances delayed inventory since 2021; the panel approved the renewal but indicated a revocation hearing may follow if inactivity persists.
Committee members emphasized procedural timelines: references for deferred applications were requested by July 8 and the next licensing meeting was scheduled for July 13. Several votes carried by voice vote; where recorded, roll calls and chair votes were noted in the minutes.
Quotes
"If you could bring in additional references as Alder Steele said from people that's not related to you, then that gives us a better outlook," a committee member said while moving to defer an operator application.
On the Elon Events application, Chantal Ramirez Garcia said, "We own Elon Events LLC…we are looking to open up a larger wedding venue," and told the panel she expected to open around September.
Next steps
Approved license recommendations will move to the Common Council where formal approvals or mayoral appointments occur. Deferred applicants were given deadlines and asked to appear at the next committee meeting; absent applicants may face future revocation proceedings if they do not activate licenses.
