Utica OKs new tavern with gambling terminals

Village Board tables petitions by Western Wear Outfitter

A new sign reads North Utica Village Hall and Community Center in Utica on Wednesday Nov. 9, 2021. The Village purchased the former Waltham South School building last year and converted it into offices, meeting rooms and a community center. The building is about ninety percent complete and will be open officially at the beginning of 2022.

Utica is getting a new tavern — along with four to six new video gaming terminals.

On Thursday, Dale Senica got the OK from the Utica Village Board to operate a bar with video gambling. His bar, Alley Cat’s, would be in the rear of 142 Mill St. — between Mill Street Market and Canal Port — accessible through the alley.

“I just want to bring back a neighborhood bar where a guy can come through the back alley and have a beer,” Senica had told the Planning Commission in July. “It’s going to look great when I get done.”

Thursday’s votes were decided 4-2, with Trustees Debbie Krizel and Mary Pawlak voting no, citing the prevalence of alcohol and gaming machines already in the village.

The board tabled a petition by Western Cattle Company Factory Outlet, which is moving from Peru to the former Mill street Market. Besides clothing and boots, the store would sell specialty foods and package goods — but no on-site consumption.

All of which seemed fine with trustees. The sticking point to Utica giving them a special use to sell alcohol was the display of puppies for off-site sale. Petitioner Robert Martens said the business is seeking clarification from the La Salle County Health Department; but trustees signaled they want answers before granting any petitions.

“I want to see something in writing (from the Health Department) that it’s OK to have animals where you’re selling food,” Trustee Jim Schrader said.

In other matters, the board:

  • Approved the annual Veterans Parade, with road closures, on Nov. 6
  • Donated $4,000 to the La Salle County Historical Society for the Burgoo Festival
  • Utica police were commended by Grand Bear property owners for the fire response