Elwood Alehouse Closes Before Liquor License Hearing

FRANKFORT, IL — The Elwood Alehouse closed its doors Nov. 1, just days before an administrative hearing to address a possible violation of its liquor license. A complaint against the restaurant in the Grainery Village Square shopping center was filed with the village in September, and a hearing regarding those allegations was set for Monday morning. But the complaint was dropped after the business agreed to relinquish its license, according to Frankfort officials.

"It is with profound sadness that we have had no choice but to close our restaurant," a posting on the business' website states. "We would like to thank all of you that have been there to support Vicki [Gaskins-Keller, the owner of the Elwood Alehouse] the past couple of years, and please continue to check back for updates on her new venture."

The Elwood Alehouse, 6 Elwood St., faced the possible suspension of its liquor license, but the restaurant and the village came to an agreement the morning of Monday's hearing, said George Mahoney, Frankfort's attorney. Retroactive to Nov. 1, Elwood Alehouse would surrender its Class M liquor license, which allows a restaurant to sell carry-out beer and wine in closed containers but not to serve the beverages at a bar. For its part, the village "dismissed the complaint without prejudice," Mahoney said.

RELATED: Hearing Set For Liquor License Suspension

Accordng to Mahoney and Village Administrator Rob Piscia, the complaint, which was filed with Frankfort's Liquor Control Commission on Sept. 14, claimed that customers were not only buying their carry-out alcohol — allowed under the license — but they allegedly were being encouraged to open and drink their purchases outside the business. The initial hearing concerning the complaint had originally been scheduled for Sept. 21, but it was postponed until Monday, Nov. 6.

Bryan Kopman, the lawyer for Elwood Alehouse, said the complaint did not force the restaurant to close.

"I can absolutely assure you that the closing of the Elwood Alehouse had absolutely nothing to do with the minor ordinance violation for which they had been cited," he told Patch on Tuesday. "We were fully prepared to contest it and don't believe the allegations would've been sustained had we gone to hearing."

Once it became clear the restaurant was closing, however, fighting the complaint no longer became practical or cost effective," Kopman added.

RELATED: Build-A-Bun Sandwich Shop Opens In Frankfort

The Elwood Alehouse originally opened as the Build-A-Bun sandwich shop in 2014, taking over the storefront that was the longtime home of the Always Open convenience store. The restaurant changed its name in 2016 and changed its menu to specialize in items made from all-natural ingredients. Although it never billed itself as a bar, the Elwood Alehouse did offer a variety of craft beers.

"Thank you again for your love and support. We will be seeing you very soon!" the restaurant's website states.

Go to the Elwood Alehouse's website to read the restaurant's full farewell message.

Image via Elwood Alehouse