Liquor Commission To Repeal Two Licenses

Changes loom on the horizon for two area restaurants. 

The Huntley Liquor Commission is expected to renew 18 liquor licenses on Thursday and repeal two licenses as one Huntley restaurant closes its doors for good, and another heads in a new direction.

The Huntley Liquor Commission meets at 7 p.m. Thursday for a special hearing, at Village Hall, 10987 Main St., Huntley. The commission is expected to issue the 18 liquor licenses requested by local businesses without dispute.

Two restaurants that hold Class A liquor licenses are not seeking renewal for the upcoming year.

School Street Station Bistro, 9704 Route 47, has opted not to serve liquor in 2012, according to village officials. The Village Board issued the coffee and sandwich shop a liquor license in July.

Del Toro’s Tex Mex Grill and Bar, 10400 Route 47, is closing by Dec. 23, said owner Raul Del Toro. The restaurant opened in 2001 but shut its dining room in August. Since that time, Del Toro has continued to operate his bar and offer a smaller menu.

While construction along Route 47 did not help business this summer, Del Toro said he was closing his establishment because it was time for a change.

“I’m taking my first Christmas and New Year’s off in 10 years,” Del Toro said.

Crystal Lake Rib House Moves To Huntley

Del Toro said a new owner, the Crystal Lake Rib House, plans to move into the Tex Mex space. The new owner will take over the establishment in January, he said.

A worker at the Crystal Lake Rib House, 5111 E. Terra Cotta Ave., confirmed plans to open a barbecue restaurant at the Del Toro site but did not have an opening date scheduled.

The Huntley Liquor Commission in past years renewed liquor licenses every April. However, earlier this year trustees changed procedures to correlate license renewals with the calendar year, village officials said.

Eight Huntley businesses hold Class A liquor licenses: Parkside Pub, Del Toro’s, Luigi’s Pizzeria, Offie’s Tap, Sammy’s Restaurant, School Street Bistro, Soula’s Village Inn and Jameson’s Huntley.

Class A allows for retail sales and consumption at the business site.