The Oak Park Village Board has tweaked its liquor code to allow Beer Shop, a combination bar and craft beer shop, to open downtown.
It’s the latest step for a craft beer business that’ll be unique to Oak Park and the Chicago area. Ahead of last Wednesday’s vote, Village Board member Adam Salzman, who also serves as the village’s liquor commissioner, said the three ordinances before the board would create a “craft brew lounge” designation.
Because all businesses that have a liquor license currently must also serve food in Oak Park, the liquor code had to be amended and Beer Shop’s owners had to apply for two special-use permits with the village. Beer Shop will focus specifically on beers and related products from up-and-coming craft brewers who may hard to find at grocery and stand-alone liquor stores.
Because Village President Anan Abu-Taleb owns a liquor license, he sequestered himself from the discussion and vote on the Beer Shop motions. Salzman said the new motions were tightly drawn and will only allow for a maximum of ten people to drink on-site.
“It allows for tastings, but it’s not a bar,” said Village Manager Cara Pavlicek.
The shop will be located at 1026 North Boulevard, the former home of Mephisto Shoes. Tony Compaglia, the beer enthusiast and former banking analyst who’s bringing the combination bar and retail store concept to Oak Park, signed a lease last year contingent on the village’s approval. He’s talked to about local 25 breweries so far and has started asking them to commit to orders ahead of his grand opening in the spring, he said.
“It’s tricky to lock down orders because some of the breweries have such a small output with their current infrastructure,” he said. “But it’s been a lot of fun meeting brewers and it’s great because I don’t have to spend so much money on dry cleaning suits anymore.”
Beer Shop will feature shelving for merchandise like apparel and glasses for different types of beer, retail craft beer and a bar with taps connected to a cold box, which is where kegs will be stored in the basement.
The idea is that before purchasing a beer they’ve never heard of, customers can taste it from one of the taps at the bar.
Before the vote, Village Board member Colette Lueck said she was concerned the village’s liquor license was becoming too unwieldy, as Beer Shop’s motions were unique and couldn’t be considered a generic liquor license for this type of business.
Salzman said the liquor commission was going to be working on streamlining the liquor code during 2015 and added Beer Shop’s application sets a precedent for similar businesses, but that those would still need a special permit to open within the village.
“I just don’t want this to be too restrictive in the future … I love the concept,” said Village Board member Peter Barber.
A full list of beer available at Beer Shop will appear online ahead of the business’ opening in the spring, Compaglia said.
