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Boxcar Brews, the incumbent, touts community events and proposes 12% of adjusted gross to village
Summary
Incumbent Boxcar Brews (Abalos Sports Pub operator) detailed a two-year recap of events, social-media reach and plans to expand programming; the applicant proposed 12% of adjusted gross to the village and stressed the need for longer-term contract certainty to invest in infrastructure.
Mike Honnold, representing Boxcar Brews and Abalos Sports Pub, told the commission his team delivered a broad summer calendar, strong community engagement and social-media reach in 2024. He said the operation returned licensing fees and other payments to the village and proposed a long-term arrangement tied to 12% of adjusted gross sales and a higher minimum payment to fund park improvements.
Honnold summarized 2024 figures and said the operation generated about $160,000 in gross sales this year and $210,000 the year before (figures as stated in his presentation). He argued a multi-year contract would justify site infrastructure investments (restrooms, additional electric/water) that would be difficult to make under successive one-year agreements. "I'm proposing 12% of the adjusted gross," he said during his presentation; commissioners pressed him on whether card fees or event discounts would be deducted from the adjusted gross calculation.
The commission emphasized the village needs clear contract definitions and monthly financial reporting if a revenue-share model is used. The commission recommended staff proceed with negotiations with the incumbent and return proposed contract terms for Village Board approval.
