This Western Springs Bar Still Plans To Open

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – In March 2020, the Western Springs Village Board approved a liquor license for a bar that was set to open that summer.

The bar, The Opry, 4354 Johnson Ave., was expected to specialize in selling craft beers, spirits, coffee and tea.

But the pandemic was just getting started. So the bar did not open.

Owners Dan and Anne Schovain, who own Daydream Coffee in Western Springs, still hope to open their bar soon.

A few months ago, they began renovations and have finished 90 percent of the project, Schovain said in a letter to the village last month.

"My goal was to open soon after the March 2020, approval," Schovain said. "But as we know, we were in the midst of the pandemic at that time, which created an uncertain environment for business in general."

He said he decided to postpone the opening until things "normalized a bit."

Schovain noted that the liquor license became void because he did not activate it within 90 days.

He asked the village to reissue the same license. The Village Board plans to address the issue Monday.

In 2020, the board voted 5-1 for the license. The dissenting trustee explained his opposition at the time.

The Opry is set to embody the Old West in a historic railroad town.

The place would serve as a small concert venue for talented bluegrass musicians and songwriters, according to the business plan. It would include a small seating area at the bar and on the main floor as well as outdoor seating.