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Park Ridge: No New Year’s toast for late liquor-license renewals
Updated: January 14, 2013 6:09AM
PARK RIDGE — Local bars and restaurants with liquor licenses in limbo don’t have much time left if they plan to raise a glass at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The city of Park Ridge is imposing a strict Dec. 17 deadline for the filing of applications to sell alcohol in 2013. The licenses are effective Jan. 1, officials stated.
In the past businesses that fulfilled liquor-licensing requirements by the end of December had been allowed to continue selling beer, wine and spirits into the new year. Ensuring timely compliance, however, put a strain on city staff, Mayor David Schmidt said, so the Liquor License Review Board has decided on less leniency with tardy applications.
The annual fee for retail liquor licenses ranges from $750 for off-site caterers and up to $4,000 for restaurants with live entertainment.
As of Dec. 3 the City Council had approved licenses for 13 businesses. The Liquor License Review Board was awaiting information for 26 additional licenses.
All application materials must be submitted before the board meets for the final time of the year on Dec. 17, prior to the City Council meeting.
Failure to obtain license approval will result in the inability to distribute alcohol beginning at midnight on Dec. 31. Police are expected to enforce regulations and venues with expired or no license can expect a citation, Schmidt said.
“That’s the risk they’re all running,” he said. “Be forewarned.”
