Liquor License Decision May Happen Wednesday

The council plans to meet Wednesday to further discuss and make a decision about which business to issue the city's fourth, and last quota liquor license. 

The quota liquor license is one that is granted to the city based on population and the city has had four licenses for years, with the fourth being unused for decades. The other three are issued to current restaurants in the Village. 

Now two businesses--one in the progress of being constructed and designed and one that was taken over by new owners last fall--have applied for the fourth license. While there is an alternative for whichever business isn't granted the quota license, the option comes at a much more expensive price. 

The cost of the quota license is $1,000 while a license the city could help the business obtain under a redevelopment zone would cost $20,000. 

Last month, the council tabled their decision after two failed votes. The council members varied in their opinions about which business deserves the license and could not reach a decision. 

Owner of the future Green Zone Pizza, Markus Wiederkehr, said he received notification of Wednesday's meeting Friday. He is anxious to have the meeting and get a decision, he said.

Green Zone will seat about 30 people and will serve pizza made with natural local ingredients and, with a liquor license, locally brewed beer.  

The other business, Side Street Diner, the former Clairpointe, is also seeking to add beer and wine as an option to their dinner menu. The co-owners bought the former Clairpointe, remodeled and redesigned the menu. The pair used to work with Mack Avenue Diner for years until this most recent business venture. 

Council members agreed they would set a special meeting when they could all meet within 90 days of the February meeting to make a decision. They will meet in council chambers Wednesday at 7 p.m.