Three Oaks council backs two downtown liquor-license applications for restaurant and event space

Three Oaks Village Council on Feb. 11 voted to support two separate liquor-license applications for downtown businesses: Viola's at 102 N. Elm and an event space at 105 N. Elm (Commune+Market).

Tom Schmidt, speaking for both applicants, asked Council to provide the needed local support to advance each application to state review. For Viola's, Council discussed that the village currently has about 17 active liquor licenses and whether an additional license was necessary for a business that had previously operated without one. Schmidt said the license is intended to support restaurant operations and "would not create a standalone bar." Council approved the resolution supporting the Viola's application.

For the 105 N. Elm event space, Schmidt and the applicant explained the request is distinct from the Viola's application and would allow the event space to secure a permanent license so alcohol service can be managed directly for private events without relying on nonprofit sponsors and temporary special-event licenses. They clarified the license would apply only to the designated event-space area and not operate as a routine public bar. Council approved the resolution supporting the event-space application; both motions carried with unanimous aye votes recorded.

Council members said they wanted to differentiate restaurant operations from bar-type establishments and weighed the community impacts before voting. The approvals are expressions of local support: state review and final licensing decisions are made by state authorities and require submission of the local resolution with the applicant's state paperwork.