Hidden Pearl Café Seeks Outdoor Alcohol Sales

Dan Kearns, co-owner of Hidden Pearl Café, which gave way to redevelopment of the McHenry Downtown Theater over a year ago, has run into a snag in its plans to re-open in a now vacant building at 1250 North Green Street. The proposal for coffee shop, retail store, meeting rooms and offices at the new location was rejected by McHenry’s City Council over Hidden Pearl’s request to include outdoor seating with alcohol sales.

Kearns says the owners will clarify the specifics of their request and bring back a more detailed proposal, but still want the provision for outdoor alcohol sales so customers can “sit outside, have a coffee – maybe an Irish coffee – or a glass of wine.”