Ward Service Office
1447 W. Morse Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
Ideal Mini MartLiquor Moratorium Request
Decision on Ideal Mini Mart
Liquor Moratorium Request
Based on the community feedback, I have decided to approve the request to lift the liquor moratorium for package goods liquor on Clark between Lunt and Pratt. This will allow the owner of Ideal Mini Mart, 6900 N. Clark, to apply for a liquor license to sell package goods liquor at the store.
The owner has established great connections in our ward already, with many neighbors responding to the survey and community meeting to remark on how the store is well-maintained and continues to serve as an asset to the neighborhood. Additionally, our office has contacted the Chicago Public Library, given its proximity to the Rogers Park Branch, and they have not expressed any objections to the proposal.
The owner is planning to sell wine and beer to supplement lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to hire two additional employees. The owner has agreed to sell wine and beer only; the owner will not sell hard alcohol or single-serving portions of alcohol. Additionally, alcohol sales will not exceed more than 30% of all sales in the store. Finally, the owner is looking to expand in other areas of his business by including the sales of freshly made food to go for customers.
My office will submit an ordinance during Wednesday's City Council meeting to lift the liquor moratorium on this stretch of Clark. Once that passes City Council, the owner will then be required to apply for a liquor license through the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and seek a distance reduction for the nearby library.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend a meeting or submit feedback via the community survey.
Share Your Feedback on Ideal Mini Mart's
Request to Lift the Liquor Moratorium
On Tuesday, May 23rd, the owner of Ideal Mini Mart at 6900 N. Clark joined a community meeting hosted by the 49th Ward Office to request the lifting of the liquor moratorium at this location in order to apply for a packaged goods liquor license. You can watch a recording of the meeting here: https://fb.watch/kLsAiSaQl1/.
The owner would like to sell liquor to supplement lost income over the last few years. The liquor moratorium would be lifted for a year-long period along Clark St. between Farwell Avenue and Morse Avenue. The applicant has already reached out to the Chicago Public Library Board regarding this proposal and the Board offered no objection to the proposal. Additionally, the proposal is further than the 100ft. minimum distance from New Field Elementary School on Morse.
The 49th Ward has a number of "liquor moratorium" zones established by the previous alderman. On streets designated as moratorium streets, liquor licenses cannot be requested, sold, transferred, etc., except under extremely limited circumstances, such as inheritance by a family member. This prevents the opening of new liquor-licensed businesses and also prevents most transfers or changes of ownership and/or plans of operation for existing liquor-licensed businesses within the moratorium zone.
Amendment of a moratorium zone requires legislative action. Businesses may request a moratorium amendment, either for the sale/alteration of an existing business or for purposes of opening a new liquor-licensed business. The amendment of a moratorium does not guarantee the issuance of a liquor license. Businesses must still apply for a license and go through the subsequent public notification and comment process. Amendment of the moratorium only makes the application possible and does not in any other way indicate or provide support for a specific business or application.
Please take a moment to submit your feedback on the liquor moratorium online at bit.ly/IdealLiquorLicense. The survey will close on Sunday, June 11.
Ideal Mini Mart Liquor Moratorium Meeting May 23
The owner of Ideal Mini Mart at 6900 N. Clark is requesting the lifting of the liquor moratorium at this location in order to apply for a packaged goods liquor license. The owner would like to sell liquor to supplement lost income over the last few years. The liquor moratorium would be lifted for a year-long period along Clark St. between Farwell Avenue and Pratt Boulevard. The applicant has already reached out to the Chicago Public Library Board regarding this proposal, and the Board offered no objection to the proposal. Additionally, the proposal is further than the 100ft. minimum distance from New Field Elementary School on Morse.
Please join the 49th Ward office on Tuesday, May 23rd, at 6 pm for a community meeting to learn more regarding this proposal. Register to attend the meeting at bit.ly/May23CommunityMeeting.