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Village staff says beer garden operator earned new three‑year license; rent and hours adjusted
Summary
Village staff reported that Jay Ziemba Enterprises LLC (operator John Ziemba) earned a new three‑year beer‑garden license with a one‑year village option and higher rents and percentages for peak and nonpeak seasons; staff also noted the license allows relocation within Prairie Springs Park per the 2025 master plan.
Village staff told the Park Commission on Oct. 7 that Jay Ziemba Enterprises LLC, operated by John Ziemba, has been awarded a new three‑year beer‑garden license with a village option for an additional year. The staff summary said the new agreement largely keeps the prior framework but raises rent and fee rates and clarifies operational details and marketing responsibilities.
"John has paid his monthly rent of $2,000 or 12% of the gross sales whichever is greater," said village staff during the briefing, recounting terms of the prior 2025–26 license and explaining the updated terms. Under the new agreement described to the commission, peak‑season rent (Memorial Day through Labor Day) will increase each year, starting at $2,500 per month and 13% of gross sales (whichever is greater), with the extension year set at $2,750 per month or 13% of gross sales. Nonpeak season rent also moves from 12% to 13% of gross sales.
Staff said the village board approved awarding the longer agreement on Aug. 25, citing the operator's inaugural‑year success, ability to schedule daily entertainment, variety of food and beverage options, timeliness in fiscal matters and general reliability. The presentation also added a social‑media marketing clause and language noting that, under the Prairie Springs Park master plan adopted in 2025, the beer garden "may be relocated to a different location within Prairie Springs Park for future years."
Commissioners asked about the village financial reconciliation for the current season. Staff acknowledged the finance spreadsheet showed some months where the flat $2,000 base had been paid but not fully reconciled against the 12% calculation, and said they would check with finance. Chair noted a line in the meeting packet linking to a village financial sheet and asked staff to follow up.
The briefing included operational hours approved earlier by the village board: closed Monday–Tuesday (unless a special event), Wednesday–Friday 4 p.m.–9 p.m., Saturday noon–9 p.m. (9 a.m. for special events), and Sunday noon–6 p.m. Staff also reminded commissioners that the license reserves the village's ability to relocate the beer garden within Prairie Springs Park as future planning and funding permit.
The commission did not take a separate vote on the license at this meeting; staff presented the update and committed to follow up on finance reconciliation and logistics questions.
