The City Council tonight is scheduled to vote on plans for a new wine bar on Central Street and a new class of liquor license to fit its business model.

The Central Street Cafe is proposed for a location at 2800 Central St.

The City Council tonight is scheduled to vote on plans for a new wine bar on Central Street and a new class of liquor license to fit its business model.

The Central Street Cafe is proposed for a location at 2800 Central St.

Manage Michael Dulin is planning to serve wine, imported beer and American craft beer at a sit-down restaurant and bar on the site as well as selling the wine and beer for carry out.

As is usual for Evanston liquor licenses, the establishment has to be serving food at the time it offers liquor for sale to patrons and at an oudoor cafe only patrons who are being served food can be served liquor.

City Attorney Grant Farrar says none of the city’s existing more than two dozen liquor license categories quite met the specifications proposed for the new establishment.

The location, at the corner of Central and Ewing Avenue, formerly was a Blockbuster video store.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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3 Comments

  1. Keep the facade!

    That building facade has always been FAR too pretty for a video store.  Hopefully they view it as an asset to the new establishment and keep it.

    And why isn't the usual gamut of possible licenses applicable?  Because they will also sell it for carry out?

  2. Is there a dress code?

    Will the servers be dressed with sufficient yardage to not pass a suggestion of impropriety? 

    Has the Mayor approved uniforms (burquas?) for the staff?

    Why is a "Special Category" license required?  What makes this SO different that one of the already existing TWO DOZEN license types cannot cover?

    To be honest, if it was my business and my dime- I'd reconsider the location, and move a mile or so West.

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