Club divides Rogers Parkers Plan for former Biddy Mulligan's
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About half of the approximately 80 East Rogers Parkers attending a community meeting last week said they would love to be jammin' at the Island Groove Café, 7644 N. Sheridan Road, where owners are seeking to open a tavern/music venue with food.
"It's a decent place. We welcome it," said Karl Villanueva, who lives a few blocks away. The site is the home of the former Biddy's Mulligan's, a longtime, live-act bar that closed several years ago. Many neighbors complained about problems that occurred when Biddy's was open, yet others said new owners shouldn't be held responsible for the past.
"They shouldn't be judged by what happened before," said Andy McGhee, a nearby neighbor. "If they put jazz in here, I'm here."
Others attending couldn't have disagreed more. "We cannot take any more pressure," said Kevin Richards. "This is way too much to bear. It's a wildly inappropriate space for a liquor license...you're dooming us."
According to Alderman Joe Moore, 49th, the owners would require liquor and public place of amusement licenses and a Special Use Permit. The café recently opened its door on weekends, for coffee, muffins and such.
Ald. Moore said his next step would be to speak with individuals/groups for more feedback before making a final decision. More from Pioneer More from Rogers Park Review
As much as I would like to see an adult oriented, jazz club there, it seems counter intuitive at this time and with this owner and I think granting this liquor license will move our neighborhood more than a few steps backward. There are many in the community who feel the same way. I have nothing against the new owners; I will personally support the new restaurant and applaud them for their courage, investment and vision. But the history of Billy Mulligan’s should tell us that the issues that were problematic then are still a problem. Nothing has changed very much except the owner, Sargon Isaac. Most neighbors I spoke with believe granting a liquor license at this location to the owner of this property with his history of irresponsible behavior in our community is the wrong idea and I agree.
Gary Fuschi
About half of the approximately 80 East Rogers Parkers attending a community meeting last week said they would love to be jammin' at the Island Groove Café, 7644 N. Sheridan Road, where owners are seeking to open a tavern/music venue with food.
"It's a decent place. We welcome it," said Karl Villanueva, who lives a few blocks away. The site is the home of the former Biddy's Mulligan's, a longtime, live-act bar that closed several years ago. Many neighbors complained about problems that occurred when Biddy's was open, yet others said new owners shouldn't be held responsible for the past.
"They shouldn't be judged by what happened before," said Andy McGhee, a nearby neighbor. "If they put jazz in here, I'm here."
Others attending couldn't have disagreed more. "We cannot take any more pressure," said Kevin Richards. "This is way too much to bear. It's a wildly inappropriate space for a liquor license...you're dooming us."
According to Alderman Joe Moore, 49th, the owners would require liquor and public place of amusement licenses and a Special Use Permit. The café recently opened its door on weekends, for coffee, muffins and such.
Ald. Moore said his next step would be to speak with individuals/groups for more feedback before making a final decision. More from Pioneer More from Rogers Park Review
As much as I would like to see an adult oriented, jazz club there, it seems counter intuitive at this time and with this owner and I think granting this liquor license will move our neighborhood more than a few steps backward. There are many in the community who feel the same way. I have nothing against the new owners; I will personally support the new restaurant and applaud them for their courage, investment and vision. But the history of Billy Mulligan’s should tell us that the issues that were problematic then are still a problem. Nothing has changed very much except the owner, Sargon Isaac. Most neighbors I spoke with believe granting a liquor license at this location to the owner of this property with his history of irresponsible behavior in our community is the wrong idea and I agree.
Gary Fuschi
posted by gf at 5:00 AM
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