Just over a year after Gurnee approved the idea of liquor licenses for gas stations, it denied its second applicant for one, Casey’s, at Monday’s Village Board meeting.
Casey’s, at 391 Hunt Club Road, applied for both a liquor license and a tobacco and alternative nicotine products license, and while a split board rejected a liquor license for the gas station, it unanimously approved the nicotine products license.
Gas stations in the village were unable to obtain liquor licenses for much of Gurnee’s history. But, that changed in March of 2023, when the Village Board approved an ordinance that would allow gas stations to sell alcohol, with strict requirements that must be followed for such a business to be eligible.
The board approved its first-ever liquor license for a gas station last year a BP on Hunt Club Road.
“A year and a half, or two years ago, there were several fuel stations that came to us to indicate that their convenience stores were changing,” Mayor Tom Hood said. “They were increasing in size, and they were going to place restaurants and restaurant-like items in them.
“They talked to us about wanting to be able to have alcohol in them as well,” he continued. “In taking that into consideration, we decided that we did not want to preclude the village of Gurnee from having these types of stores in town.”
To be eligible for a liquor license, gas stations must also serve as a convenience store and have a commercial kitchen on the property. The building must also be 4,000 square feet or larger. If approved, gas stations are only able to sell alcohol between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and can only sell beer and wine.
Several Gurnee residents at Monday’s meeting voiced their concerns about Casey’s selling alcohol.
“I ask for consideration for us in our situation,” Keith Owens said.
Four Village Board members voted against the ordinance, including Trustee Greg Garner, who said that he would not support the ordinance because it “chips away” at what Gurnee has represented throughout its history.
“We’re speaking to the character, reputation and the identity of our community,” he said. “If you look at other communities that are unlike Gurnee, they have a liquor store on pretty much every corner. Maybe they have to because they need the revenue.
“We’re a little different,” Garner continued. “We have Six Flags, Gurnee Mills and Great Wolf Lodge to support as a base for our community. When we make decisions like these, it chips away at who we’ve been. I happen to like who we’ve been.”
Village officials acknowledged that the gas station has been a source of contention for residents since it was first proposed.
“Casey’s has been a super-sensitive project for all of us,” Hood said. “It’s been asked of me more times than I care to remember, ‘Would you like to have Casey’s across from your front yard?’ And the answer is no, I would not.”
Hood added that “unfortunately” residential neighborhoods are developed first, and then commercial buildings are built.
“In this situation, [commercial developments] came 15, 16 years later,” he said. “Having anything in your backyard is a shock to everyone.”
While the gas station was denied a liquor license, the board did approve an amendment to its municipal code which will allow Casey’s to receive a tobacco and alternative nicotine products license.
Residents also spoke up about the gas station selling tobacco and alternative nicotine products, including one resident who asked the board if it will acknowledge Lung Cancer Awareness Month later this year.
“If [the Village Board] approves this, I would look forward to how you vote in November, when there will probably be a resolution recognizing National Lung Cancer Awareness month,” Owens said.
After the liquor license was denied at the meeting, some residents in attendance shouted their thanks to the board when Hood asked if there was any public comment.
