Oak Park village officials unanimously approved measures for five new businesses to serve liquor at the Village Board meeting Monday.
The businesses’ liquor license applications had already been recommended by Oak Park’s liquor control review board. Most of the businesses have yet to open.
The first liquor license approved by village trustees was for Bourbon Fire, 33 S. Oak Park Ave, a restaurant that plans to serve wood-oven-fired pizza as well as other various oven-roasted dishes. Bourbon Fire, which has a capacity of 50 and plans to offer a selection of wine, beer and spirits to complement its food offerings, was issued a B-4 liquor license.
A B-4 liquor license allows the sale and consumption of alcoholic liquors (beer, wine and spirits) at tables at a restaurant and in a lounge area to patrons who do not order food under certain conditions. Under a B-4 license, the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption must be subsidiary and incidental to the sale and service of food, according to Oak Park village attorney Paul Stephanides.
The Grove, at 107 S. Marion Street, was also issued a B-4 liquor license. The Grove will feature small plates, flatbreads, family-style pizza, and pasta through the sharing of a kitchen with the adjacent Betty’s Pizza and Pasta.
Betty’s Pizza and Pasta, located at 1103 South Blvd., also received a B-4 liquor license.
The Grove and Betty’s Pizza and Pasta will both be operated by the same ownership, Kettlestrings Kitchen & Tap, Inc. Kettlestrings currently operates Kettlestrings Tavern at 800 S. Oak Park Avenue, which has been in operation since March 2020.
The Grove plans to offer high-end spirits, wines and cocktails to complement its food offerings.
Puree’s Pizza & Chicken, which has been in business for a year at 1023 Lake Street, received a B-1 liquor license. There are now 20 businesses in Oak Park with B-1 licenses, which allow the sale and consumption of alcoholic liquors (beer, wine and spirits) at tables at a restaurant, according to Stephanides.
Fritzi’s Delicatessen, at 113 N. Oak Park Ave., became the 12th business in Oak Park to receive a B-2 liquor license, which allows for the sale and consumption of beer and wine only at tables at a restaurant. The deli-style restaurant will have table seating for approximately 80 persons and will serve lunch and dinner along with box meals. Beverage service will include beer and wine and an extensive list of non-alcoholic options.
