The Homewood village board approved an ordinance establishing a new type of liquor license for Redbird Cafe.
The Class 7B license allows on-premises consumption of beer and wine only. It does not allow alcohol carry out or video gaming. No more than 25 percent of Redbird’s yearly receipts can be from the sale of alcohol.
Board members approved the ordinance at the June 13.
The license is a modification of the Class 7A one held by Fratello’s Cafe and Deli, which allows alcohol carry out.
Redbird Cafe will pay an annual fee of $1,000.
“So far the business is going very well,” owner Kim Nolen told the board. “I think that the beer and wine will just add one more element to our plans going forward.”
The restaurant at 2057 Ridge Road opened May 1.
Redbird is designed to be “a bit quirky,” Nolen told The Chronicle before the grand opening.
It’s a self-styled farm-to-table eatery with walls adorned with the work of local artists, including a hall dedicated to Homewood-Flossmoor High School student art.
Nolen said she hopes the Redbird helps build a sense of community in the village.
A long “community table” rests along one side of the cafe in an effort to encourage strangers to sit together and eat.
“The community has been providing overwhelming support for us, which I am just thrilled with. It does seem that we’ve found a niche that has been filled,” Nolen said.
