MONROE - Monroe Square's north side could be dressed up with a dining and lounge establishment by September, according to Joey Winters of ABC Ventures, LLC Tuesday.
The City of Monroe Common Council granted Laura and Joey Winters, owners of Kookaburra's in downtown Monroe, a full Class B liquor and fermented malt beverage license Tuesday, allowing them to serve drinks and beer by the glassful in their new Northside Pub and Grill, 1609 10th Street.
Council also grant a Class B fermented malt beverage license and a Class C wine license to Pizza Hut in the same motion.
By way of an agreement between Pizza Hut and ABC Ventures, Pizza Hut relinquished its full Class B license and applied for a Class B Restaurant Fermented Malt Beverage license and a Class C wine license, but only with the stipulation that the full Class B license be granted to ABC Ventures.
According to attorney Todd Schluesche, representing both Jim Williams, Pizza Hut of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. chief operating officer, and Joey and Laura Winters of ABC Ventures, LLC, the license was an integral part of the Winters' plan to open the restaurant and lounge business.
"(The Winters) believe their ability to have a full license is essential ... to differentiate them (from other businesses)," Schluesche said, to the License Committee prior to the council meeting.
Schluesche explained Pizza Hut was not using its Class B license to its fullest and that the restaurant beer and wine licenses would satisfy their needs.
The License Committee recommended the license swap to council for approval.
Laura Winters was visibly emotional as she left the council chambers following the vote of 9-1 in her favor.
"It enables us to take it to the next level," she said about Kookaburra's, a cooking store on the Square featuring unique food products and cooking utensils. "My dream will come to fruition."
Joey Winters said operating a restaurant and lounge has been their plan for about 15 years.
David Gombosi, President of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the council's decision was in support of locally-owned businesses.
"It's good in the fact that it brings added (tax) revenue to the city not being used previously," he said.
The Winters' plan to remodel an unused potion of their building for the restaurant and lounge as an expansion of their Kookaburra's business.
According to city ordinances, the Winters have six months before they must take possession of the license, and the business could be closed for a maximum of 120 consecutive days in the year, giving them a maximum of about 10 months to ready their business, or lose the license.
But Joey Winters said they hope to have "something open by Cheese Days."
The city granted its last two full Class B licenses Sept. 1, 2009, to Barrett's Brick Cafe and Fiesta Cancun. ABC Ventures was one of five applicants for the two licenses. Vince's Pizzeria and Restaurant and Pancho and Leftie's were the other two.
The Winters had lost the granting of a license by one vote in a second round of voting by council members.
The Northside Pub and Grill will be the only eating establishment in the 1600 block of 10th Street. The other sides of the historic Square all sport at least two eateries each.
Alderman Charles Koch voted against the licenses, noting the problems "alcohol causes in our society," including alcohol-related deaths.
"I can't see where we're gaining anything by this," he said.
The City of Monroe Common Council granted Laura and Joey Winters, owners of Kookaburra's in downtown Monroe, a full Class B liquor and fermented malt beverage license Tuesday, allowing them to serve drinks and beer by the glassful in their new Northside Pub and Grill, 1609 10th Street.
Council also grant a Class B fermented malt beverage license and a Class C wine license to Pizza Hut in the same motion.
By way of an agreement between Pizza Hut and ABC Ventures, Pizza Hut relinquished its full Class B license and applied for a Class B Restaurant Fermented Malt Beverage license and a Class C wine license, but only with the stipulation that the full Class B license be granted to ABC Ventures.
According to attorney Todd Schluesche, representing both Jim Williams, Pizza Hut of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. chief operating officer, and Joey and Laura Winters of ABC Ventures, LLC, the license was an integral part of the Winters' plan to open the restaurant and lounge business.
"(The Winters) believe their ability to have a full license is essential ... to differentiate them (from other businesses)," Schluesche said, to the License Committee prior to the council meeting.
Schluesche explained Pizza Hut was not using its Class B license to its fullest and that the restaurant beer and wine licenses would satisfy their needs.
The License Committee recommended the license swap to council for approval.
Laura Winters was visibly emotional as she left the council chambers following the vote of 9-1 in her favor.
"It enables us to take it to the next level," she said about Kookaburra's, a cooking store on the Square featuring unique food products and cooking utensils. "My dream will come to fruition."
Joey Winters said operating a restaurant and lounge has been their plan for about 15 years.
David Gombosi, President of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the council's decision was in support of locally-owned businesses.
"It's good in the fact that it brings added (tax) revenue to the city not being used previously," he said.
The Winters' plan to remodel an unused potion of their building for the restaurant and lounge as an expansion of their Kookaburra's business.
According to city ordinances, the Winters have six months before they must take possession of the license, and the business could be closed for a maximum of 120 consecutive days in the year, giving them a maximum of about 10 months to ready their business, or lose the license.
But Joey Winters said they hope to have "something open by Cheese Days."
The city granted its last two full Class B licenses Sept. 1, 2009, to Barrett's Brick Cafe and Fiesta Cancun. ABC Ventures was one of five applicants for the two licenses. Vince's Pizzeria and Restaurant and Pancho and Leftie's were the other two.
The Winters had lost the granting of a license by one vote in a second round of voting by council members.
The Northside Pub and Grill will be the only eating establishment in the 1600 block of 10th Street. The other sides of the historic Square all sport at least two eateries each.
Alderman Charles Koch voted against the licenses, noting the problems "alcohol causes in our society," including alcohol-related deaths.
"I can't see where we're gaining anything by this," he said.