Naperville Liquor Commission Meeting - February 6, 2025

The Naperville Liquor Commission convened on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers, 400 S. Eagle Street. All seven commissioners were present, with Commissioner Chirico participating by teleconference after a voice vote. The Commission approved a new Class B and Class M liquor license for Naperville Sweat Lodge with conditions and discussed a co-branded liquor sales request from Buttermilk. Reports on BASSET training, DUI statistics, and liquor concepts were received.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the regular Liquor Commission meeting minutes of December 5, 2024 (motion by McGury, second by Stauffer; unanimous voice vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward to speak on non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Naperville Sweat Lodge (Petitioners Alex Loifman and Maria Glucova): The Commission considered a request for a Class B (restaurant) license and a Class M (lifestyle amenity) license for a proposed bathhouse and restaurant. Several commissioners had visited the existing Chicago location. Commissioner Stauffer expressed concern about the lack of oversight at the Chicago facility, including drinks being carried into saunas and a six-pack of outside beer, but petitioners said the new Naperville location would be better designed and enforced. The city attorney noted a municipal code provision (Section 3-3-14-14) prohibiting nudity on liquor-licensed premises. The petitioners agreed to separate locker rooms from alcohol service areas with walls and to limit alcohol to designated dining and rest areas.
• Buttermilk (Cynthia Krauss, representative): Buttermilk holds a Class A license and sought approval to sell specialty co-branded bourbon bottles (selected from Journeyman's in Michigan) for retail take-out. Staff stated the current Class S1 license is capped at one and is taken, and the S1 classification carries size and premise requirements. The Commission recommended the petitioner apply for a variance and return for a future meeting; a City Council increase to the S1 cap would also be required.

Reports

• BASSET statistics for December 2024 and January 2025: Detective Creighton reported 63 in-person and 9 online renewals in December; 98 in-person and 27 online renewals in January.
• DUI reports for October–December 2024: Detective Creighton presented statistics. DUI incidents: October 2023 – 7, October 2024 – 12; November 2023 – 6, November 2024 – 16; December 2023 – 19, December 2024 – 15. Commissioner Stauffer noted that White Stavern appeared three times in two months and requested police follow up.
• Liquor Concept Committee Report for December and January: Budget and Administrative Manager Ozkaptan reported several new concepts, including Crosstown Pub (new owner), a breakfast concept at 22 East Chicago Ave Suite 115, Buttermilk's expansion, a proposed tent for 64 Wine Bar and Kitchen on Water Street, Bricksmoor open-container discussions at Block 59, a recommended Class R license for Community Christian Church (Naperville Yellow Box), and Lennon's Restaurant at 16 West Jefferson.

Key Outcomes

• Approved a Class B liquor license for Naperville Sweat Lodge's public dining area (motion by Koranda, second by McGury; roll call vote 6-0).
• Approved a Class M liquor license for Naperville Sweat Lodge with restrictions: beer and wine only, two-drink maximum per customer, service only in designated common, dining, and rest areas; separation walls between locker rooms and liquor service; no nudity where alcohol is served; revised plans must be submitted to the Mayor's Office for final approval (motion by Stauffer, second by McGury; roll call vote 6-0).
• Buttermilk's request was not voted on; the Commission directed the petitioner to submit a variance application and noted that an S1 cap increase would need City Council action.
• No executive session; meeting adjourned by voice vote.