Fatty’s owner moves forward with drive-thru liquor store in DeKalb

DeKALB – A local restauranteur who first approached DeKalb city officials in 2018 about opening a drive-thru package liquor store and video-gaming bar is one step closer.

The DeKalb City Council voted, 7-0, on Monday to approve changing the zoning designation for the site, which is owned by Fatty’s Pub and Grill owner Jeff Dobie. The approval means the space can now be used for commercial development. Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Verbic was absent from the meeting.

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas said the City Council previously authorized in October 2020 a package liquor license with a supplemental drive-thru license, as well as a video-gaming bar liquor license, for the site of the project.

“There are a few things that Mr. Dobie has added since the last time the council looked at this and approved a couple of resolutions in the fall of 2020,” Nicklas said.

Nicklas said those changes included constructing an about 6,000 square-foot building and creating a drive-thru package liquor store on the north side of Illinois Route 38. He said there also would be some video gambling machines in the building, a storage area for Dobie’s catering business and the possibility of a couple of two-bedroom apartments on the proposed building’s second floor.

The update comes after aldermen originally approved the drive-thru package liquor store license and video-gaming license in 2018 for the proposed commercial building location – which would have a separated package store and video-gaming bar but both still in the same building – across the street from Fatty’s on Lincoln Highway. City officials gave Dobie extensions for the project as Dobie previously said he was trying to navigate business challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to city documents, the city’s planning and zoning commission also recommended City Council approval for the proposed plan during its Aug. 16 meeting.

Dobie attended the Monday meeting but did not formally address the City Council during the meeting about the project. When prompted by city officials, Dobie and his lawyer said the proposed project’s gambling machines would be in addition to the machines that already exist in Fatty’s.

City officials wrote in an Aug. 18 memo they recommended approval for the zoning changes Dobie is requesting.

“The proposed rezoning request will allow for the development of a property that has been vacant for over 10 years and will be a benefit to the neighborhood and add to the tax base,” city officials wrote.