St. Charles Approves Liquor License for New Downtown Establishment

A new business which become the subject of scrutiny by St. Charles alderman concerned about the number of bars in the city will get its requested liquor license.

The St. Charles briefly reviewed a revised plan Monday submitted by the owner of , 12 N. Third St., but approving the liquor license in a 6-4 vote.

Revised plans indicate a maximum capacity of 279 with enough seats to accommodate 188 people in the 8,000-square-foot space. Prior to the change, the Third Avenue building housed an antique market.

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The B3 license approved is one for businesses that primarily offer food and entertainment, such as restaurants, and is different than those labeled in the city code for businesses that mainly cater to liquor sales.

The establishment also will feature "interesting artists from the music, art or cultural scene," according to Alibi's website.

Bar owner Rich Simpson's plan also changes a ticket window into a coat check and makes adjustments to a proposed raised stage inside the establishment.

Members of the City Council had criticized Simpson's plan last year when he was seeking approval for a liquor license. Alderman Jim Martin, who was among the four who voted against the license Monday night, had previously express doubts about the plan for the bar.

“I don’t think you really know what you want,” Martin told Simpson in August, after the business owner had agreed to changes requested by the city.

One requested change included removing "bar" from the business name. While city documents refer to the establishment as "Alibi Bar & Grill," signage at the building and images on its website simply call it "Alibi." 

During the same August meeting, Alderman Cliff Carrignan said that he believed St. Charles did not need more bars. Carrignan did vote in favor of the license on Monday.

Additional city requirements had stalled a vote in September.