Sept. 19, 2017 – The Village of Oak Park revoked the business license of Austin Pantry, 1 W. Chicago Ave., after an administrative hearing determined activity at the market created a public nuisance.
The business had been closed since Aug. 31 when heroin was found by Oak Park and Chicago police during the execution of a search warrant following a joint undercover investigation into allegations of illegal activity.
Police arrested Edgar L. Lucas, 55, of the 300 block of N. Latrobe Avenue in Chicago, who was identified as the store’s clerk. The Cook County State’s Attorney charged Lucas with 17 felony counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $50,000.
As required by Village code, the Village Manager conducted an administrative hearing on Thurs., Sept. 14, to review the police investigation of the business and to hear from the business owner and legal counsel.
Following a careful review of all testimony and evidence presented through the hearing process, the business license was revoked on Sept. 18 and the owners notified of the ruling via their attorney
The business owner has the right to appeal the administrative ruling to the Village Board within 10 days of the ruling.
Click here to view the license revocation order