Liquor license proposal to be on Franklin ballots

FRANKLIN — In November, voters will see a proposal to approve or deny a new liquor license in the village. Gray Dog Café LLC plans to open in 2025 and is requesting a Class C on-premises liquor license at its future location, 32644 Franklin Road.

According to the Franklin village charter, as amended, voters must approve the authorization of a liquor license. This way, the voters have control on what businesses are able to sell alcohol for customers to enjoy on the premises.

When it comes to liquor licenses in a city, village or township, there is a maximum number allowed in an area depending on population. Franklin is only allowed two Class C on-premises liquor licenses — meaning, only two establishments in the village can serve alcohol to customers with the intention of it being consumed in-house.

Currently, The Franklin is the only business in the village that has a Class C on-premises liquor license. Since there is only one remaining license available, it is up to voters to decide if they want it to be granted to The Gray Dog Café.

Lisa MacDonald, a personal trainer and the owner of Driven By Lisa MacDonald, is planning on opening The Gray Dog Café in Franklin. Her current business, Driven By Lisa MacDonald, is located at 32654 Franklin Road.

MacDonald has been a business owner for 14 years, and she recently acquired the property that she had been renting for her business. When she bought the property, it included the building at 32644 Franklin Road, where she plans to operate The Gray Dog Café.

The café will serve coffee during the day and curated wine in the evenings. The license would allow for them to serve cocktails, but she said they are planning on just doing wine. However, they would have the option to have a bar with liquor if they do events.

“The purpose of the liquor license allows us to really utilize the space fully and not just have it be a coffee shop in the morning. It really opens up our evening hours and allows us to create an interconnected community,” MacDonald said.

The Village Council approved the Gray Dog Café at their July 8 meeting.

“What we are looking for is approval of the voters for this Class C liquor license to be awarded to Lisa MacDonald,” Franklin Village Trustee Pam Hansen said. “I strongly urge people to vote yes because it’s going to help her reestablish a gathering place in the village.”

This building used to be a business called Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream. It also housed Madeleine’s French Patisserie and Market.

“Lisa’s a long-term business owner and she recognizes that when the Farmhouse (Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream) closed several years ago, so did a gathering place for the villagers, and part of her dream is to reestablish that and welcome people into the building again,” Hansen said.

The proposal for the Gray Dog Café’s liquor license will be in the non-partisan section of the ballot on Nov. 5.