UPDATED: Aug. 10, 11:00 p.m. -- The La Grange village board tonight unanimously adopted the ordinance outlined in the story below. It's effective date is Nov. 1.
A proposed overhaul of village liquor laws would greatly expand the number and types of venues where alcoholic drinks could be served in La Grange, and even allow diners and patrons of certain businesses to bring their own beer and wine, according to a report authored by village staff.
The report recommends that the village board adopt an ordinance granting the changes at its regular meeting Monday night.
This comprehensive update of the liquor code has been in the works since 2007 and is needed "to better reflect the changing needs of our businesses, the growing popularity of
our downtown, and the marketplace chanhes related to the sale and
service of alcoholic liquor," the report said.
Under the new ordinance, licenses would be created specifically to permit food and wine boutiques, cabarets and movie theaters to sell alcoholic beverages by the glass under prescribed conditions.
New tasting licenses would allow grocers and other food retailers that already hold a package beer and wine license to routinely offer sample portions by the glass to customers.
Almost any retail or service business wishing to serve complimentary drinks at a grand opening or other promotional occasion could apply for a "single event" license, with a maximum of four events per business annually.
Another new and somewhat controversial "bring your own" license would allow restaurants patrons to consume beer and wine they obtained from outside sources. BYO licenses would be available to any restaurant, whether or not they already possessed a license to sell alcoholic beverages.
Businesses offering craft-making or make-your-own meals also could obtain a BYO license to allow consumption of beer and wine by customers while actively engaged in those activities.
The new licenses were approved earlier this year by the village liquor commission after public hearings and discussions with representatives of the La Grange Business Association (LGBA), during which concerns were raised about the BYO concept.
Some restaurant owners already holding "full" liquor licenses felt that allowing any restaurant to offer BYO service would create additional competition and weaken the value of their existing sales licenses.
As initially proposed, full-service license holders were excluded from offering BYO service, but the classification was expanded to include existing licensees as a compromise, according to the staff report. However, many existing licensees told the village they likely would not offer BYO service.
Concerns about public safety also were raised over the BYO licenses. Full service licensees are required to have their servers and sellers undergo training in order to recognize and deal with intoxicated patrons.
Restaurants who hold only a BYO license would not be required to undergo training or background checks, But they, and all holders of any new liquor licenses would be required to maintain an adequate level of liability insurance.
Restaurants currently licensed would enjoy a couple of additional perks under the new ordinance. They could sell packaged bottles of wine to diners who had just finished a meal, allowing patrons to enjoy at home the same wine they had consumed with their meal. Also, those restaurants could sell bottles of wine in volume that would then be stored on premises for the purchasers to enjoy with meals consumed at the the restaurant at later dates.
The ordinance also sets new hours during which alcohol can be consumed. For restaurants: i1 a.m. until 1 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For all other businesses: 8 a.m until 11 p.m., seven days a week.
In a separate but related item on its omnibus agenda, the village board Monday night likely will approve two liquor licenses for Q Barbeque, a new restaurant opening this fall at 70 S La Grange Rd, replacing Roly Poly Sandwiches, which is closing. Both businesses are owned by Michael LaPidus, who also serves as president of the LGBA.
If approved, one license would allow Q to sell beer and wine by the glass. The second is a liquor license for its catering operation.
Click here to read the full staff report and ordinance.