Minesh Patel’s dream project comes to an end in Illinois.
AB Wire
NEW YORK: An Indian American businessman in Illinois, Minesh Patel, who wanted to invest a quarter of a million dollars in a new liquor store has been stymied by a local girl who spoke against it, forcing the council members to go against the wishes of the mayor Ray Rogina who supported Patel, and overruled the business idea.
Minesh Patel targeted 710 S. Third St., the former location of the St. Charles Mini-Mart, for the site of a liquor and tobacco store called Depot Liquor 2, reported Daily Herald. His plan was to pour about $250,000 into purchasing and transforming the aging property into an establishment operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the town of St. Charles, reported the Daily Herald.
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Patel had influential support on his side, and was hoping for a quick hearing and to start operations on his new dream project. His self-described mentor, Jerry Rosen of the Beverage Retailers Alliance of Illinois, told the St. Charles aldermen the liquor store would be an upgrade to the property.
“Right now, that store is a disaster,” Rosen was quoted as saying, by the Herald. “It’s in disrepair both inside and out. We want to make it a credit to the community and to the area and to the town.”
However, Patel was in for a shock.
Neighbors didn’t buy that pitch. They cited Moody Park, across the street from the property, and the residential property totally surrounding the location as all the evidence needed to deny Patel’s application.
The final nail in the coffin for Patel’s business plan was a talk by a local girl, Emma Santos, who was brought in by her mother to speak against setting up the liquor store.
“Me and three of my friends walk to school and would have to pass the liquor store,” Emma Santos said. “We like to hang out at the playground. We just don’t feel safe going past something like that.”
Aldermen, moved by Emma’s comments, finally went against the mayor, and nixed Patel’s business plan.