Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Yard House Set to Open in Naperville: Adjustments Required for Beer and Wine Size Limits Chris Lehoux, February 10, 2024 Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Yard House have announced plans to establish restaurants in the upcoming dining/entertainment complex, Block 59, in Naperville. However, they have set forth a condition that the city should remove limitations on beer and wine serving sizes, as their menu-advertised drinks can’t be sold due to the existing restrictions. Andrew Balzer, the project developer from Brixmor Property Group, has conveyed to the Naperville Liquor Commission that both Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Yard House refuse to be a part of the venture if these restrictions persist. He also shared concerns that other potential tenants, including The Cheesecake Factory, First Watch, Shake Shake, and Stan’s Donuts may likely nullify their leases if these two chain restaurants withdraw. The proposed Block 59, anticipated for a 2025 opening at the northeast intersection of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue, is being promoted as a major hub for dining and entertainment. Balzer points out that the integral associations for the project are Ruth’s Chris and Yard House. Their decision to terminate their leases hinges on the inability to serve their trademark drink sizes at this location. Yard House is recognized for its “Half Yard”, a 32-ounce beer, being a significant part of their brand identity. For Ruth’s Chris, their signature is their 9-ounce glasses of wine. According to the laws in Naperville, the maximum legal serving size is 24 ounces for beer and cider, and 6 ounces per serving for wine. Should either eatery choose to abandon the Naperville site due to these limits, and other establishments decide to do the same, the entire project is at risk of collapsing, as per Balzer. He noted that at other sites, neither company has faced obligations on portion sizes, and both have received positive reactions from the local communities where they are based. Yard House operates 88 branches around the country, with restaurants in Lombard and Glenview in Illinois. The 134 locations of Ruth’s Chris include Northbrook and South Barrington. Liquor commissioners conveyed their lack of concern towards permitting wine servings of nine ounces. They speculated that such portions might already be in circulation at some dining establishments, presumably due to ignorance of the enforced limit. Nonetheless, the prospect of endorsing a 32-ounce serving of beer elicited worries of setting a detrimental precedent leading to similar requests from other businesses. The city’s Mayor, Scott Wehrli, acting as the head of the liquor commission, voiced his disapproval towards the possibility of granting any unfair advantages to any particular business. He stressed that any such approval that isn’t universally available could cause injustice. The commissioners highlighted the competitive nature of Naperville’s restaurant business. They felt that an introduction of any new benchmark must be made accessible to all entities. This would prevent any new entrants from possessing a unique benefit that is absent for existing businesses. The primary focus on safety was emphasized by the commission with Commissioner Tony Signorella stressing on the importance of economic development as well. His concerns revolved around the precedent that might be created. Ex-Mayor Steve Chirico, who is currently a member of the commission, stated that the existing regulations were brought in at a time when outlets were offering 25-ounce beer cans, equivalent to two beers, at last call, thus providing customers with a substantial amount to drink shortly before closing hours. Commission members wondered if it was possible to impose a limitation on the alcohol content percentage contained in the 32-ounce beers, while recognizing that such a restriction could be challenging to implement. Balzer indicated that Yard House primarily offers Miller Lite or Coors Light in their signature 32-ounce glass, and both varieties have a low alcohol content. The half-yard option contributes to approximately 3% of beer sales during weekdays and 6% of beer sales on weekends at its Lombard branch, he added. Christine Jeffries, the Naperville Development Partnership’s president, expressed her support for the proposal to increase pour limits. She holds the view that the bartenders and servers in Naperville possess the necessary training to serve alcohol responsibly. Beyond that, she stated, it’s not as much alcohol as ordering a 60-ounce pitcher of beer or margaritas or a bottle of wine for the table, both of which can now be legally purchased. “We haven’t experienced chaos with these items,” Jeffries commented. “I have great confidence in Naperville and the Basset training we provide.” Commissioners unanimously voted to recommend the wine serving size increase but were split over the larger beer size. The latter gained approval with a 3-2 vote; Commissioners Kelly Douglas and Ray McGury voted against the alteration. Before they can be enforced, both require the approval of the Naperville City Council. The council will review the requests in an upcoming gathering. Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine