City Council Meeting Date: March 17, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Jeff Schroepfer, Chief of Police
Subject:
TITLE
Consider Approval of Outdoor Dining Permit for Loon Liquors LLC dba Loon Liquor Company.
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council hereby approves an outdoor dining permit for Loon Liquor Company subject to the following conditions:
• Final review and approval of layout and barriers proposed to be used by the Chief of Police.
• Compliance with all terms and conditions noted in City Code Section 6-70 - Temporary expansion of licensed premises/outdoor sales and service.
Summary Report:
The City Council is being asked to approve the outdoor dining permit for Loon Liquor Company subject to the following conditions:
• Final review and approval of layout and barriers proposed to be used by the Chief of Police.
• Compliance with all terms and conditions noted in City Code Section 6-70 - Temporary expansion of licensed premises/outdoor sales and service.
Staff from the Inspections, Engineering, Planning and Police Departments met with the owners regarding the proposed temporary expansion and/or reviewed the outdoor dining permit. The owners plan to place benches and tables along the sidewalk while maintaining a five-foot pedestrian walkway. As shown in Attachment 1, the proposed layout includes seven tables with two benches per table, providing seating for up to 28 patrons. This seating capacity is consistent with the number of restrooms currently available within the restaurant. Attachment 2 includes a photo illustrating how the tables and benches will be situated along the sidewalk.
Loon Liquors staff would monitor the area to ensure that alcoholic beverages remain within the designated service area. They would also be responsible for cleaning the tables and ensuring that no debris from patrons remains on the sidewalk or in the street.
The City currently issues outdoor dining permits on public property to Basil’s Pizza, The Grand Event Center and The Hideaway (to include serving alcohol to tables in the Parklet). These were approved in conjunction with their liquor license renewals at the March 3 Council Meeting. They also are required to maintain a five-foot pedestrian walkway on the sidewalk. Staff cleans the tables and ensures that no debris from patrons remains on the sidewalk or in the street. Their outdoor dining areas have been in place for the past five years with no issues having to be addressed.
Alternative Options:
Council could modify and/or deny the temporary expansion permit.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
Loon Liquor Company would open the outdoor dining in the spring and close it in the fall as weather permits.