A proposal to set up a 2,320-square-foot video gaming cafe on 273 N. Randall Road received mixed reactions from Lake in the Hills trustees during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
The proposed upscale cafe, known as May’s Lounge, would offer locally crafted beers, wine, coffee and a casual food menu of breakfast foods, sandwiches, pizza and sweets.
May’s Lounge representative Amanda Bailey said her business prides itself not only in its customer service by offering food and beverages, but also its design. She added that 11 other May’s Lounge locations currently are open.
Trustee Ray Bogdanowski said the board has looked at video gaming as enhancing income for existing business and although some of them have, he does not like the concept of gaming parlor-type businesses.
Trustee Diane Murphy also voiced concerns regarding competition because of the proposal’s proximity to Stella’s Place, another video gambling cafe.
Bailey said May’s Lounge offers a completely different concept from similar establishments, which does not deter the business from opening near competitors. She added that the goal is never to put another video gaming location out of business.
Trustee Stephen Harlfinger said from a development standpoint, the proposal requires a buildout, which would make the property more marketable if the business does leave the space.
In August, the Village Board approved a change to the village code to allow businesses with 2,001 square feet to have up to six video gaming terminals.
May’s Lounge would require liquor and video gaming licenses from the village, but Tuesday’s meeting was meant to provide feedback on the business concept. Bailey said it may be several months before May’s Lounge comes back to the Village Board for formal approval.
The state of Illinois imposes a 30% tax on the net terminal income of gaming machines. One sixth of this amount is collected and deposited into the Local Government Video Gaming Distributive Fund. Money is then distributed on a monthly basis across municipalities that have not prohibited video gaming.
