Prairie Espresso outdoor event space approved

A Lake Bluff coffee shop’s plan to host outdoor events in Scranton Alley won a recommendation from the village’s Joint Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals at its March 18 meeting.

If the Village Board agrees next month, John and Katie Davis, owners of Prairie Espresso, 91 E. Scranton Ave., could begin hosting events outside their 80-square-foot java joint by mid-June.

John Davis (no relation to this reporter) said on March 19 the idea is to host tapas-type presentations of small samples or plates of foods served with wines, or special events like birthday parties or perhaps a chef-catered wine-pairing dinner at a long table “and just have it be a space to come and enjoy good wine and food.”

“We just realized what a great space it was and how under-utilized it was” and how it could become more of a community space than just a walkway, Davis said.

Lake Bluff’s joint PCZBA unanimously recommended approval on March 18 to proposed amendments of the “special use” permit that allowed the coffee shop to open last year on July 4.

That original permit didn’t allow such events in the Alley, hence the need for amendments, said Brandon Stanick, assistant to the village administrator.

The panel’s recommended changes will be an ordinance amendment up on the Village Board’s April 13 agenda for a first reading. If trustees approve that, a second and final vote will be scheduled perhaps as soon as the Board’s April 27 meeting, Stanick said.

The Davises still must work with village officials to flesh out details including site plans for events, the specific number of seats and people allowed in the Alley, event closing times and communication with village officials before events, he added.

“This is sort of a food offering, so it’s a little more intense,” Stanick said. “It’s a different kind of use for the Alley.”