cover
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk
DATE: May 6, 2025
SUBJECT:
Resolution Establishing the maximum number of City of Aurora Liquor Licenses by Class.
PURPOSE:
To maintain the number of Class D: Fox Valley Entertainment District licenses, with Strolling and Self-Service Endorsements. There is a new 100% owner of Fox Taps, LLC, d/b/a Tapville - Drink While You Shop - Fox Valley Mall. Fox Taps, LLC is a self-service kiosk offering beer, cider, and wine for consumption on the premises, with strolling and self-service endorsements.
BACKGROUND:
This request is presented in accordance with the 2011 amendment to the City's Liquor Ordinance, specifically Section 6-9(a), which charges the City Council with the authority to determine the number of licenses available in each classification.
DISCUSSION:
Fox Taps, LLC has submitted a liquor license application for the purposes of taking 100% ownership of an existing business at the Fox Valley Mall. Fox Taps, LLC will continue operations of the self-service kiosk in the Fox Valley Mall and allow patrons to walk freely around the Fox Valley Mall with their purchased beverage.
To qualify for a Strolling Endorsement and a Self-Service Endorsement, a business must be located in a licensed entertainment district, in this instance, the Fox Valley Entertainment District. Fox Taps, LLC is located inside the Fox Valley Mall and they wish to offer alcohol for sale for consumption on-site, giving customers the ability to walk and consume their beverages within the mall. After an identification check, customers will be provided with a Fox Taps, LLC wristband and beer, wine, or cider will be dispensed in a cup that specifically identifies Tapville - Drink While You Shop - Fox Valley Mall as the source of the beverage. Staff will continuously monitor all customers as they operate the self-service dispensers, and, if necessary, customer access to the dispensers can be automatically deactivated. While customers will only be able to purchase one drink at a time, and will be allowed to purchase a limited, cumulative amount of alcohol, staff will be trained to guard against underage service as well as over-service. Video monitoring of the devices will be in place when the establishment is open to the public. Patrons will not be allowed to exit the Fox Valley Mall with an open alcoholic beverage. The applicant also seeks a Package Sales endorsement.
Attached is the application submitted for your consideration. If approved, this resolution would maintain the number of allowable liquor licenses as indicated in the accompanying Exhibit A to allow for the issuance of the license by the Liquor Commissioner. City staff has been working with the business owner to ensure that all requirements for a liquor license, as set forth in Chapter 6 of the City's Code of Ordinances, are met.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The proposed resolution presents an opportunity to further the City of Aurora's economic development and to bring additional business and people to the City of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that this resolution be approved.
cc: Public Health, Safety & Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class D: Fox Valley Entertainment District licenses, with Self-Service, Strolling and Package Sales Endorsements, (unofficially related to the application from Fox Taps, LLC d/b/a Tapville - Drink While You Shop - Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center Dr. 14 E). [Ward 10]
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 4-1 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act, 235 ILCS 5/4-1, and Section 6-9 of the City of Aurora Liquor Ordinance, the City Council may establish the maximum number of allowed liquor licenses within the City of Aurora; and:
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 6-9, it is the desire of the City Council to maintain the maximum number of allowed liquor licenses within the City of Aurora as reflected in the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the allowable liquor licenses are established as set forth in Exhibit A and the Self-Service and Strolling Endorsements are approved upon issuance of the liquor license by the Liquor Commissioner.