A Tinley Park resident appears headed to court in hopes of finding a way to continue operating his longtime baking business at home.
Despite a plea from owner Scott Leeson, trustees Tuesday night denied his request for a variance to continue running Leeson’s Party Cakes, 6713 W. 163rd Pl., a cake-baking and decorating business in operation since 1975.
More Top Picks Emporio Armani Stronger With You Intensely For Men
“I have two parents who are retired who live upstairs,” Leeson said. “My parents are not in the best health. My father is half-paralyzed and has Parkinson’s disease. This enables me to keep an eye on them.
“I run a very clean business.”
Leeson said he has received annual business licenses from the village.
“It is not high-volume. My clientele . . . are by appointment only. There is no traffic problem,” he said.
Trustee Greg Hannon, who said Leeson intends to sue Tinley over the issue, acknowledged Leeson has been granted business licenses in the past but noted, “He probably shouldn’t have been” because his use of commercial-type ovens does not fit requirements for an at-home business. That ordinance also prohibits retail sales.
“This is a very hard decision,” Hannon said. “The problem may not be Leeson’s. The concern I have is, What if somebody else comes in (requesting a similar variance)?”
Trustee Pat Rea said Wednesday the business licenses granted to Leeson allowed him only to display his wares, not to bake them on the premises.
Leeson’s problems began several months ago when an anonymous person called the Village Hall to complain about the business, which he previously ran with his former wife, according to Hannon.