Winnebago, IL: A Surge in Local Businesses Following Liquor Sales Approval
Nearly eight years after Winnebago voters lifted the village’s prohibition on retail alcohol sales, local residents and business owners are reflecting on the transformative impact of that decision. In November 2018, an overwhelming 87% of those who participated in the referendum opted to allow liquor sales throughout the village, expanding upon a prior system that permitted alcohol sales only in a limited annexed area.
Angelique Nespor, manager of Benton Street Tap, remembers the excitement surrounding new openings in the wake of the referendum. “When The Post opened, it was wall-to-wall people… The town was just so excited to have a place that they could drink,” she recalled. Nespor has seen a noticeable influx of new businesses since the regulatory change.
Benton Street Tap, which opened just three and a half months ago, illustrates this trend by combining a menu of pizza, cocktails, and video gaming. “The ability to serve alcohol is crucial,” Nespor stated, emphasizing that the bar’s identity revolves around cocktails.
Longtime resident Nolan Crawford expressed nostalgia for the days when local dining options were scant. “We’d always have to travel… Downtown was just kind of dead,” he noted. More recent residents echo this sentiment, relishing the expanded choices available within their community.
In addition to liquor sales, the village approved video gaming in 2019, which has generated significant revenue—$96,323 in 2024, according to the village’s financial report. As of that year, Winnebago held seven liquor licenses.
Nespor envisions further growth, hoping to attract visitors from neighboring towns to enjoy what Winnebago has to offer. “I’d like to see people from other towns travel to Winnebago to enjoy our pizza and drinks,” she said.
Overall, the community has benefited from newfound vibrancy and options for dining and entertainment since lifting the ban on alcohol sales.
