Hinsdale Restaurant Struggles With Rent

HINSDALE, IL – A downtown Hinsdale restaurant asked the village Tuesday for quick action on its request for a liquor license.

Otherwise, the operator warned, it would close.

Collin Ringelstetter-Ennis of Pour Destino coffee shop told the Village Board that the eatery is in the same spot where he operated Calle Cantina at 114 S. Washington St.

Earlier this year, Pronto Italian Sandwiches moved from First Street to the Washington location. Pronto and Pour Destino operate in separate spots in the space.

Ringelstetter-Ennis said he and his partners caught on some "pretty good steam" in Hinsdale, even being nominated for a Chicago Tribune award.

"In November of last year, our chef unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack," Ringelstetter-Ennis said. "In February, a vehicle crashed into the front of our building. With that, we decided to close Calle Cantina. With that, it closed Pour Destino because they operated together."

He said the intention was always to reopen Pour Destino. And that happened. But he said the restaurant needed a liquor license.

Ringelstetter-Ennis asked the Village Board to fast-track approval of the liquor license request, consolidating the process to one board meeting, instead of the usual two.

"Rent in Hinsdale is not inexpensive. Our landlord has been very generous and lenient with us," he said. "But that is coming to an end, as are the funds that are continuing to keep the business alive."

For the last month, he said, the restaurant has been serving coffee. But that type of business doesn't cover the more than $10,000 in monthly rent, he said.

Ringelstetter-Ennis said Pour Destino would be unable to hold onto the space if the board waited until July to decide on the license. That would also affect Pronto, Pour Destino's subtenant.

"If we were to default on the lease, they would most likely have to find new space, even though they just moved in," he said.

Trustee Luke Stifflear asked him when Pour Destino could open its full restaurant if the board approved the license Tuesday.

"Hopefully, next week," Ringelstetter-Ennis said. "If all goes well, Friday."

But it depends on how quickly the state signs off, he said.

Pour Destino is billing itself as a "speakeasy," a Prohibition term that works well for the restaurant's alley entrance.

Trustee Scott Banke said he understood that the speakeasy reference was for symbolic reasons.

"You're not a speakeasy as being a bar in Hinsdale, which I think is an important distinction," Banke said.

Hinsdale requires that a certain percentage of an alcohol-serving restaurant's sales be from food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The board voted unanimously for the license, fast-tracking the process.