Bar Louie, the hip but casual Chicago hangout-turned-franchise concept, is looking to open in downtown Oak Park in the 1116-1130 Lake Street building under construction, according to village records.
A Bar Louie representative attended the Liquor Control Review Board’s Dec. 21 meeting to begin the process of obtaining a liquor license.
Despite its name, Bar Louie’s concept is “malleable and adapts according to location,” according to minutes from the meeting. The representative?#34;Anthony DeSalvo?#34;could not be reached for comment.
DeSalvo was recorded as telling the board that the spot would not be geared for a “sub-25 crowd,” that table service would be provided, and that drinks “would not be cheap,” with martinis priced at $8 or $9.
John Martin, liquor board chair, said the word “bar” could raise some questions in Oak Park, and DeSalvo said the name “could be changed and that all local regulations would be followed.”
Oak Park’s liquor ordinance was wobbled last fall when the village board approved a license for the Abbey Wine Bar, the first operation in the village where the emphasis is more on the wine and other beverages than it is on its small-plate food menu.
At that time, Village Attorney Ray Heise said, “I think maybe the time has come, yet again, for Oak Park to revisit the philosophy of” its liquor law.
The board hasn’t formed a position on whether establishments seeking liquor licenses in the future would be able to be liquor-focused.
Bar Louie franchises tend to get half of their revenue from liquor sales, according to the company’s Web site.
Trustee Ray Johnson has said the village needs to “moisten” its previously dry position on liquor, and said last week that Bar Louie would be a perfect fit for Downtown Oak Park.
“Let’s make it happen,” he said.
Bar Louie opened its 16th franchise in Champaign in January. It started as a single restaurant/bar in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in 1991. It has 11 Illinois locations, plus five others out of state, including in Pittsburgh, Tampa, Fla. and Columbus, Ohio.
?#34;Drew Carter