Board OKs Antioch Pizza’s liquor-license transfer to support expansion into adjacent unit

The Lindenhurst Village Board on Aug. 25 approved Ordinance 25-8-2326 to amend Village Code Section 111.20 and allow an increase in available Class A-V liquor licenses so Antioch Pizza can expand into the adjacent Steph’s Place and continue use of the existing bar and video-gaming area. The approval was contingent on the applicant receiving a certificate of occupancy for the combined units.

Village materials said the new owners of Antioch Pizza purchased the corporation doing business as Steph’s Place and provided a floor plan showing seating for up to 66 customers and room for up to six gaming terminals. Staff reported background checks on the application had passed.

Trustee Pat Dunham moved the ordinance, Trustee Ron Grace seconded, and the measure passed on a roll-call vote, five ayes to one nay; Trustee Heath Rosten voted no. Don Debello, owner of Antioch Pizza, addressed the board during the public-comment portion earlier in the meeting to describe expansion plans and long-term goals for the business.

Board materials state that issuing the license will not increase the number of overall licenses in the village because the Antioch Pizza request would supplant the license held by Steph’s Place. The approval was made subject to the village’s receipt of a certificate of occupancy verifying the combined space meets code requirements; the transcript does not record an estimated timeline for occupancy or for gaming-terminal installation.