The owners of Little Beans Cafe in Evanston are planning to open a more grown-up play spot in town.
Drew and Shannon Valko and Rob Spengler told the city’s Liquor Control board Wednesday that they have become franchisees of the Wisconsin-based Board and Brush Creative Studio chain and plan to open their new venture in the former Wiener and Still Champion location at 802 Dempster St.
Board and Brush offers people the chance to take classes in which they make rustic-looking signs for their homes whlle having a little wine to get the creative juices flowing.
After the committee reviewed the proposal, Mayor Steve Hagerty, the city’s liquor commissioner, directed the city attorney to draft an amendment to the liquor code designed for such a business model. Assuming the code amendment is scheduled for City Council introduction Feb. 26.
Assuming the City Council approves, the Board and Brush owners can then apply for a liquor license for their business sometime in March.
Experiential businesses are becoming a popular alternative for retailers and communities dealing with the shift to online sales — since the experiences typically can’t be replicated online.
For example, Bottle and Bottega, on Davis Street downtown, offers customers the chance to explore their artistic side with painting projects while having a glass of wine.
The liquor board Wednesday also recommended approval of a Class D restaurant liquor license for Good to Go Jamaican Cuisine at 711 Howard St. and a Class F grocery store liquor license for the new Target store at 1616 Sherman Ave.
Both of those license requests are scheduled to be on the Feb. 12 City Council agenda.