Roscoe IL
5-03-2021 12:48pm

Village of Roscoe considers boutique gaming liquor license at Hilander Village

Photo: Phillips Edison & Company

The Village of Roscoe holds three meetings Tuesday night, May 4, 2021, beginning with a Liquor Commission meeting meeting at 6:15 p.m. 

Currently the maximum number of authorized Class "BL" (Boutique Gaming) liquor licenses in the Village is limited to twelve. But Empire Slots wants the Village to increase that number so they can get a liquor license for its 1,655 square foot space at Hilander Village (named for the grocery store now known as Schuck's). The gaming business will be close to Remix Tobacco, Fashion Nails and H&R Block on the Rockrose Drive side of the shopping center, at 4972 Hononegah Rd, Unit 15A. Empire Slots will be one of the newest tenants, and the units at 15B and 15C are still vacant.

According to David Gordon,  Leasing Associate for Philips Edison & Company which owns the shopping center, the shopping center had over 665,000 customers during the last 12 months and 15,200 vehicles drive past each day. Last month, Philips Edison & Company asked the Village's Zoning Board of Appeals to approve a design review for a new coffee shop development at the corner of the shopping center.

In the Village of Roscoe, a Boutique Gaming liquor license costs $6,000, with a $500 application fee, and asks the applicant:

  • Has applicant ever made application for a liquor license which was been denied?
  • Has applicant ever had any previous liquor license suspended or revoked?
  • Has applicant ever been convicted of a felony?
  • Has applicant ever been convicted of a gambling offense?
  • Do you possess a current federal wagering or gambling device stamp?
  • Are you, or is any other person, directly or indirectly in your place of business, a public official?

All employees must meet those requirements and have completed a State certified Beverage Alcohol Sellers & Servers Education and Training (BASSET).

Depending on the recommendation of the Liquor Commission, the Village Board  will decide whether or not to approve that recommendation by considering Ordinance 2021-11, amending §114 of the Village of Roscoe Code of Ordinance. In 2018, the number of BL licenses was limited to 4, but that was later increased to 12. The Board will also swear in newly elected officials. Also, Brad Hoglund is joining the Zoning Board of Appeals, filling an unexpired term ending May 2024.

After the Village Board meeting, the Committee of the Whole will discuss approving an agreement with Fehr Graham for professional surveying services at Chicory Ridge Park for the
quoted amount of $2,800.00 and approving a Special Event Permit for the YMCA Stonebridge Trail Half-Marathon, including the use of Leland Park scheduled for September 25, 2021. They will be also given a presentation of proposed ag-lime walking path construction at Porter Park.

UPDATE: The Village Board voted 5-1 to approve the Empire Slots liquor license. Trustee Carol  Gustafson voted against it, asking the Board "to have a conversation as to if they feel they are oversaturated with these. The reason why I voted no is that I personally feel... I'm obviously in the minority but I think it's something we have to discuss."

Addressing Village President Mark Szula, Gustafson said, "It seems like, Mark, if you were to drop a golf ball and hit one of your long drives over Hononegah Road, you're going to hit one of these slot places. I'd just like to know if we have enough already, particularly in a particular area."

Empire Slots will be managed by ​Mike Capriola II, a digital marketing specialist and graduate of Winnebago High School. With his father, also named Michael, they want to establish a more upscale type of gaming establishment, hoping to open in Roscoe by the end of the year after receiving the rest of the necessary licenses, for which there is a backlog.

More News from Roscoe
I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive