Frankfort Township Board Denies Liquor and Gaming Permits for Two Restaurants

Article Summary: The Frankfort Township Board of Trustees denied special use permits for Dimitri Best Food and Kismet Restaurant, both of which were seeking ancillary liquor licenses with the intent to pursue video gaming. In separate actions, the board approved two residential zoning requests, one for a shed setback variance and another for a home accessibility project.

Frankfort Township Zoning Issues Key Points:

• On Monday, July 14, 2025, the board denied special use permits for Dimitri Best Food in Frankfort and Kismet Restaurant, LLC.

• Both businesses sought liquor licenses as a prerequisite for obtaining future video gaming licenses.

• A variance for a shed setback for homeowner Andrew Bischoff on W. Harvest Dr. was unanimously approved.

• An encroachment for a home accessibility project for Monica & Tim Blouin on W. Frankfort Square Rd. was also unanimously approved.

The Frankfort Town (Township) Board on Monday, July 14, 2025, denied requests from two local restaurants seeking the necessary permits to serve alcohol and eventually add video gaming machines.

After discussion, the board unanimously voted to deny a special use permit for Dimitri Best Food, located at 19866 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort. The request, filed by property owner Nobel CTR Lincoln IL, LLC, was to obtain an ancillary liquor license to serve beer and wine to dine-in customers, with the stated intent of later acquiring a video gaming license. Trustee Dave Smith made the motion to deny, which was seconded by Trustee Hillary Kurzawa and passed unanimously.

Similarly, the board denied a special use permit for Kismet Restaurant, LLC, represented by agent Ana Garcia. The owner, THC, LLC, sought an ancillary liquor service license for the purpose of obtaining a video gaming license. A motion to deny this request, also made by Trustee Smith and seconded by Trustee Thomas Kennedy, passed with unanimous board approval.

While the business requests were denied, two residential zoning matters received favorable outcomes.

The board unanimously approved a variance for Andrew Bischoff at 7948 W. Harvest Dr. to reduce the east side yard setback from 10 feet to 4 feet. The purpose of the request was to change the location of an already constructed shed on the property.

A second request from Monica and Tim Blouin at 7848 W. Frankfort Square Rd. for a front-yard setback encroachment of up to 10% was also unanimously approved. The purpose of the project is to create an accessible route for a homeowner to enter the house, provide a covered and protected front entry, and enlarge the garage to accommodate a wheelchair-accessible van.

Both residential motions were recommended for approval by Trustee Smith and seconded by Trustee Kennedy before passing with a unanimous vote from the board members present.