Village of Lake in the Hills responds to criticism following canceled events at UpRising Bakery and Café
LAKE IN THE HILLS — On July 30, Corinna Sac, owner of UpRising Bakery and Café located at 2104 West Algonquin Road, posted a video on her business’ Facebook page informing patrons that certain events would now need to be canceled moving forward.
“Our hands are being tied and our backs are being forced up against the wall by our landlord and the Village of Lake in the Hills,” stated Sac in her video. “Unfortunately, we received a letter yesterday (July 29) after a very threatening meeting on Thursday (July 28) and I quote, ‘Should the village become aware of any entertainment events continuing to be advertised or taking place at UpRising Bakery and Café location, it will pursue appropriate enforcement actions.’”
Sac shared that she has been hosting paid entertainment events since she first established her business in Lake in the Hills, and explained that she uses those events to bridge the gap in daily sales to ensure that she can pay her rent, taxes, and employees.
In regards to Sac’s comments about how the village is discriminating and conspiring against her business, Village of Lake in the Hills officials stated that because the area in which UpRising is currently located is zoned as B-2—or what is also referred to as a Neighborhood Convenience Business District, the operation of an entertainment business is not permitted due in large part to the proximity to residential neighborhoods and shared tenant parking.
Lake in the Hills Village Administrator Shannon Andrews also detailed in a July 30 press release, that the village had been receiving complaints from the property owner and tenants of the Cedar Ridge Plaza, as well as from nearby residences in regards to “loss of business, parking, safety concerns, and zoning violations.”
“The Village attempted to contact Ms. Sac through her attorney to confirm her intent to voluntarily comply with the zoning, which would allow her business to continue, but without reliance on an entertainment component. Unfortunately, after receiving no response, the Village issued a letter requesting compliance,” said Andrews in a press release statement.
In a letter from Bradford Stewart, the attorney representing the village, to Sac’s legal team, it was explained that Lake in the Hills is “more than willing to discuss zoning issues and parameters with UpRising Bakery and Café.”
“The Village’s position is that there are likely some activities that can continue to be conducted at UpRising Bakery and Café, subject to certain parameters, in compliance with its zoning. However, to be clear, the Village cannot condone the bakery business relying on hosting ticketed entertainment events, in its zoning district, as part of its ongoing business model, which is what the business owner told the Village last week was its plan,” wrote Stewart in his letter to Sac’s attorneys dated Aug. 1.
Following Sac’s July 30 Facebook video, various residents have stood alongside the bakery and café, while also voicing their disapproval of how the village is choosing to handle the situation, which Andrews described as “disheartening.”
“Standing with our community and businesses, the Village demonstrated unwavering support to UpRising Bakery and Café, staying alongside the business to fight against hate in every way possible,” said Andrews in an Aug. 1 press release. “The Village learned that the business model for the bakery and café has fundamentally changed, requiring the Village to address zoning concerns. The change is not in the type of entertainment being offered, but in the offering of regular and extended entertainment events as an ongoing part of the business.”
Village officials warned Sac that if UpRising Bakery and Café does not comply with the municipal code and zoning ordinances, her business and landlord both face penalties including having to pay a fine of up to $750 and the possible suspension or revocation of issued business licenses and liquor licenses.
