The vacant Class A liquor license is one step closer to being issued as of Monday night.

At the committee of the whole meeting, acting mayor Kris Povlsen opened the floor to discuss the findings of the request for qualifications regarding the city’s open Class A liquor license. The license, formally belonging to DKBI, L.L.C., operators of The U, 1000 W. Lincoln Highway, was surrendered after two violations occurred over two weeks.

On Sept. 12, 2008, advertising was sent out for a wristband party at Detox for Oct. 12, allowing an unlimited amount of drinks for a set price.

Upon hearing of this party, two undercover DeKalb Police officers went to the club.

The party violated the happy hour laws in Chapter 38 of the Municipal Code because, as stated in Chapter 38, “No licensee is to sell, offer to sell or serve to any person an unlimited number of drinks of alcoholic liquor during any set period of time for a fixed price, except at private functions not open to the general public.”

The second violation came during a State of Illinois Liquor Control sting in DeKalb. Five licensees were found in violation of serving alcohol to minors, including Detox.

“The liquor commissioner ordered the establishment to be closed, and it has been closed since Oct. 30, 2008,” City Attorney Norma Guess said.

The city moved on with the reissuing process of the Class A license by putting out an RFQ.
As a result from the RFQ, Povlsen,who is also the city’s liquor commissioner, along with Guess and Police Chief Bill Feithen, recommended the license go to Michael Carpenter.

Carpenter plans to open a packaged liquor store and wine bar at 2579 Sycamore Road.

“There are no liquor wine stores north of Dresser,” Carpenter said. “I think the location adjacent to Aldi food is pretty key.”

There were several students in support of Detox at the meeting after an invite titled “Save Detox,” which encouraged students to attend, was sent out on Facebook.

“The fact that they’ve taken interest means a lot,” said Attorney Riley Oncken, representing Unified Productions, Inc., of the students that were in attendance.

“It would be irresponsible of me to issue a license to an owner with this kind of track record,” Povlsen said.

Detox Owner Ransey Vazquez was unable to comment after the meeting, and phone calls were not returned as of press time. The liquor license still remains unissued.

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