Taste Buds Kitchen, which offers cooking and baking class experiences for children and adults, is facing hurdles in obtaining a liquor license for its planned Naperville location.
“It’s going to be a large kitchen studio,” Jackie Burton, owner of the Naperville franchise location, told the Naperville Liquor Commission at its Thursday meeting. “The guests will come in, they’ll learn to prepare their own food, like sushi, cupcakes, pasta and more. The concept of Taste Buds Kitchen is very similar to how you would think of an art class (at) Pinot’s Palette.”
And similar to Pinot’s Palette, Burton would like participants to be able to purchase beer and wine as part of the experience.
There are two things standing in her way. The first is the city’s cap on Class M liquor licenses, which allow for the sale of beer and wine at businesses designated as recreational or lifestyle facilities, including art studios, salons, indoor sports venues and beauty shops.
In order for Burton to receive a license, the Naperville City Council would need to increase the license limit to 14. Currently there are 12 Class M licenses issued and a 13th pending.
The other is its proximity to a day care facility. Burton’s location at 620 N. River Road is less than 100 feet from the Cypruss School early childhood center that’s to open at 628 N. River Road. Only a parking lot separates the two businesses.
Under city ordinances, the sale of alcohol within 100 feet of schools is prohibited, although exceptions can be made by the Liquor Commission.
Burton called the liquor license “a very crucial piece” to the success of her proposed business. While they offer children’s classes and summer camps, they also cater to adults with programs for families and friends, birthday parties and special events, and corporate gatherings.
“It’s very important. I think (access to alcohol) is an expectation that individuals would have in being able to attend an adult event,” she said.
All of the 19 other Taste Buds Kitchens sell or allow alcohol, including the only other Illinois location in suburban Bannockburn. Some have liquor licenses and others operate under a “bring your own bottle/beverage” (BYOB) model, which is not allowed in Naperville, she said.
“I wasn’t aware of the distance,” said Jennifer Bonner, senior assistant city attorney for Naperville, “and I’m still not sure whether it’s applicable because our code requires that you notify the day care if it’s within 100 feet when you’re seeking an exception, so there’s a process that has to be followed,”
The commission tabled the Taste Buds license request Thursday and will review the matter at a later point after consulting with the city’s Transportation, Engineering and Development department about the request.
“I’ve been a resident of Naperville for over 15 years, and my children have grown up here, so I would have loved something like this when they were younger,” Burton said when asked why she wanted to bring this business to Naperville.
In particular, she said she liked that the cooking classes allow people to share a love for food and be present with one another.
“I think sometimes that can get lost these days. And just being able to bring that back, away from the screens and having a family experience or (experience) with people, face to face, that’s really what I’m looking for … out of this,” Burton said.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
