A plea from a corporate representative this week failed to sway Mokena trustees’ support for a village ordinance banning liquor sales at gas stations.
Alex Chakonas, Chicago division coordinator for Speedway, said his request for a variance from the statute passed in the mid-1990s was spurred by worry about the economic survival of the firm’s downtown station.
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Chakonas said he raised the “volatile subject” because rising gasoline prices have cut profit margins in the intensely competitive gasoline sales business.
Trustee Donald Labriola questioned the economic argument. He said gas prices at Speedway stations on U.S. Highway 30 in New Lenox are lower than the prices at the Front Street station “and they’re surviving.”
“The reasons we passed [the ordinance] then are still valid,” Trustee John Mazzorana said.
Possibly setting a precedent is another concern, according to Mayor Robert Chiszar. “If we give you [a liquor license], we’re going to have five other [requests] right behind you,” Chiszar said.
Three gas stations allowed to sell alcoholic beverages in Mokena are those that held liquor licenses before the ordinance was passed. Stations that have opened since then may not.