Chicago City Wire

City of Wheaton Liquor Control Commission met June 12

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE

Chair Pearse called the June 12, 2025 meeting of the Local Liquor Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street and via Zoom.

Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioner Laird, Chair Pearse and Commissioner Whitmer. Absent: Commissioner Brown and Commissioner Taylor. City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development.

II. PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 8, 2025

Commissioner Laird moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2025 Local Liquor Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

Amendment to Section 6-129 - Hours of Business - Class R Liquor License Classification

Chair Pearse stated that the city has received a request from Scissors & Scotch of Naperville LLC, which now holds a Class R Liquor License for their salon to be located at 21 Town Square, to extend their operating hours to include Sundays. Mr. Kozik stated that the current hours of business for a Class R Licensee are Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mr. Anderson, the licensee, stated that a significant portion of their business takes place on the weekend, and that their franchisor requires them to operate seven days a week. Mr. Anderson stated that the proposed Sunday hours for Scissors and Scotch are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mr. Kozik stated that if approved, this request would also affect Drybar at 2044 S. Naperville Road, which has received approval for a Class R License but has not yet been issued the license. Their Sunday hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mr. Kozik stated that the draft ordinance prepared by the staff proposes Sunday operating hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In their discussion of the proposed amendment, Chair Pearse suggested that to provide consistency in the hours of business, she suggested the hours of operation be Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The rest of the Commission concurred. 

Commissioner Laird then moved and Commissioner Whitmer seconded a motion to recommend to the Mayor and City Council that the Hours of Business for a Class R Liquor License Classification be amended to Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On a roll call vote, all voted aye.

Violation Hearing – Light Sum LLC d/b/a Fuji Ramen & Sushi – 221 W. Front Street

Chair Pearse called the public hearing to order. Chair Pearse stated that the public hearing is to review evidence relating to allegations of a violation of the Liquor Control Ordinance by Light Sum LLC d/b/a Fuji Ramen & Sushi whereby liquor was sold to a person under the age of 21.

In their witness of the liquor sale, Chair Pearse stated that the Wheaton Police observed that the member of the waitstaff asked the decoy for identification.

Chair Pearse stated that Light Sum LLC d/b/a Fuji Ramen & Sushi has entered a plea of guilty to the allegations and that this is Light Sum LLC d/b/a Fuji Ramen & Sushi’s 1st violation of the Liquor Control Ordinance since obtaining their license in 2023.

Mr. Yi Zhang, owner, was present to explain the circumstances surrounding the violation. Mr. Zhang explained that weekly alcohol sales training are now required of all associates involved with the sale of alcohol. Mr. Zhang further stated that the server was kept on staff in order for her and other staff members to learn from her mistake.

Hearing no further questions or comments the public hearing was closed.

Violation Hearing – Royale Liquors LLC d/b/a Pete's Fresh Market – 151 Rice Lake Square 

Chair Pearse called the public hearing to order. Chair Pearse stated that the public hearing is to review evidence relating to allegations of a violation of the Liquor Control Ordinance by Royale Liquors LLC d/b/a Pete's Fresh Market whereby liquor was sold to a person under the age of 21.

In their witness of the liquor sale, Chair Pearse stated that the Wheaton Police observed that the clerk asked the decoy for identification.

Chair Pearse stated that Royale Liquors LLC d/b/a Pete’s Fresh Market has entered a plea of guilty to the allegations and this is Royale Liquors LLC d/b/a Pete's Fresh Market’s second violation of the Liquor Control Ordinance with a fine of $500 levied in 2022, since obtaining a Liquor License in 2019.

Mr. Armando Alcazar, Risk Manager for Royale Liquors LLC, was present to explain the circumstances surrounding the violation. Mr. Alcazar stated that the clerk, a long-term employee, was written up and suspended for two weeks. Mr. Alcazar stated that the clerk was re-trained upon returning to work.

Hearing no further questions or comments the public hearing was closed.

Violation Hearing – Sabores Chingones 1 LLC d/b/a Sweetchilango - 133 W. Front Street

Chair Pearse called the public hearing to order. Chair Pearse stated that the public hearing is to review evidence relating to allegations of a violation of the Liquor Control Ordinance by Sabores Chingones 1 LLC d/b/a Sweetchilango whereby liquor was sold to a person under the age of 21.

In their witness of the liquor sale, Chair Pearse stated that the Wheaton Police observed that the member of the waitstaff asked the decoy for identification.

Chair Pearse stated that Sabores Chingones 1 LLC d/b/a Sweetchilango has entered a plea of guilty to the allegations and that this is Sabores Chingones 1 LLC d/b/a Sweetchilango ‘s 1st violation of the Liquor

Control Ordinance since obtaining their license in 2024.

Mr. Julio Cano, owner, was present to explain the circumstances surrounding the violation. Mr. Cano stated that the employee involved in this incident was an 8-year veteran from their restaurant in Geneva. Mr. Cano stated that as a result of the incident, all employees were retrained and that all customers wishing to purchase alcohol who appear under 50, will be carded.

Hearing no further questions or comments the public hearing was closed.

Commissioner Pearse then moved and Commissioner Laird seconded a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Illinois Compiled Statutes 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (4) at 7:20 P.M. On a voice vote, all voted aye. At approximately 7:29 P.M. the Commission returned to open session.

Following an admonishment of the licensees, Chair Pearse stated the Commission will be recommending fines of $350 for Light Sum LLC d/b/a Fuji Ramen & Sushi and Sabores Chingones 1 LLC d/b/a Sweetchilango and $1,000 Royale Liquors LLC d/b/a Pete's Fresh to the Liquor Commissioner.

V. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 P.M.

https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/12853?fileID=18298