Joliet approves nonalcoholic party hall for Raynor Avenue

Plans for a banquet hall at a former Raynor Avenue tavern are moving forward despite some skepticism that the parties will remain nonalcoholic.

The former tavern at 1214 N. Raynor Ave. last operated as Riley’s Bleachers, which closed about four years ago, according to a staff memo on the new plan.

It will reopen as a banquet hall for small parties without alcohol, according to the zoning variation approved by the Joliet City Council last week.

The building is surrounded by homes but had operated as a tavern since the 1940s under names such as Garnsey’s III and My Three Sons, the memo said.

The council voted, 6-2, for the zoning variation, which also allows a party rental business for items such as tables, chairs and inflatable bounce houses.

No residents objected to the plan at the council meeting Tuesday. At a previous zoning board hearing, two neighbors voiced concerns.

Owners of the future Fiestas Karina, however, canvassed the neighborhood and collected 49 signatures on a petition supporting the plan for “a party hall for family events, birthdays, baptisms, etc.”

The owners are Jaime and Norma Martinez of Minooka.

Council member Jan Quillman, who voted against the variation along with Don Dickinson, questioned whether partygoers would be able to bring their own alcohol.

Interim City Manager Marty Shanahan did not give a definitive answer but said, “The most conservative view is you can’t do that.”