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Politics & Government

UPDATE: Even Flow Gets Fine, One-Day Liquor License Suspension, But New Venue Is Doing Well

Geneva Liquor Commissioner Kevin Burns makes the decision at a 1 p.m. Thursday public hearing at City Hall.

Even Flow Music & Spirits LLC will pay a $1,000 fine and its liquor license will be suspended for a day in January following a decision Thursday by Geneva Mayor and Liquor Control Commissioner Kevin Burns.

But the community's unique music venue in the historic former State Bank building at 302 West State St. is doing well, and owners say they'll learn from this lesson and coontinue to build on their success.

At a 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, hearing at City Hall, Burns found against the respondents for allowing one of the owners, Nicholas P. Mercadante, to consume alcoholic beverages inside the bar, restaurant and music venue at around 4 a.m. Nov. 17.

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An attorney for Even Flow waived the right to a formal hearing. It is illegal for anyone, even an employee, to consume alcohol on the premesis of a licensed establishment between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., according to city ordinance.

The $1,000 fine must be paid by Dec. 31. The liquor license is suspended from 2 a.m. Saturday, Jan 5, to 1:59 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Burns said after the hearing that the purpose of the hearing is to apply the law consistently. 

"It is the city's philosophy on all matters to educate before we enforce," Burns said. "And we educate all our liquor-license holders. Our objective is to have every liquor license holder succeed in the community. We begin by educatiing them of the law, and if there's a failure to understand that education and there's an infraction, then of course, we enforce. We've done the former, now we're doing the latter.

"Even Flow is an extraordinary asset to the community, we wish them the very best and we have every confidence they are doing to continue to succeed," he added. "This is just one of those situations where the city had to act as it did in the best interests of the entire community."

Even Flow is earning a reputation for the quality of its modern, American menu as well as its live music, which has become a regional draw for people of all ages.

EvenFlow Music & Spirits owners Michael Knuth and Mercadante said after the hearing that business has taken off since its August opening.

"Rock 'n' roll (music does well), but it's completely driven by the bands. Every once in awhile, we get a country band, and they bring a crowd. Then we bring in a band called the Neverly Brothers, they play '50s and '60s, so we get an older demographic."

Even Flow's Facebook page has 3,837 likes, and its website showcases a full and eclectic lineup, from Friday night's "End of the World Party" with Hip Pocket to Saturday's (Dec. 22) Chicago favorite, Mr. Blotto, to a CASA Kane County fundraiser to New Year's Eve with Spoken Four.

 

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