Was Burr Ridge Resident Misquoted About Planned Bar?

BURR RIDGE, IL — A Burr Ridge woman who was against a planned bar in County Line Square months ago has apparently changed her mind.

On Monday, Burr Ridge resident Nikki Bekteshi spoke during a public hearing about the proposed "Are We Live?" establishment, proposed by businessman Filippo "Gigi" Rovito.

Later in the evening, the Plan Commission approved the lounge, despite concerns from neighbors about parking and noise. The matter goes to the Village Board.

At Monday's commission meeting, Bekteshi said Patch misquoted her as being opposed to Are We Live.

She lives on Ambriance Drive, which is close to County Line Square.

"As a resident, I have no problem with the opening of a lounge," Bekteshi said. "Unlike other residents, I have never had a problem with parking."

She said she was a customer at Rovito's existing business, Capri Ristorante, and other businesses in County Line Square.

"I just want to voice that I don't oppose this," she said. "I'm not sure how I got thrown into this. No one reached out to me."

It's true that no one reached out to her. On Dec. 31, she reached out to the village by emailing Mayor Gary Grasso and the Village Board to express her concerns about Are We Live.

According to village records, Bekteshi's email was the first to arrive at Village Hall in opposition to Are We Live. Along with other messages, it has been on the village's website for months. That's how she got thrown into this.

At the meeting, Bekteshi said friends had told her Patch reported that she said would be forced to move out if Are We Live came in. She said that was untrue.

But that was what she wrote.

"If there should be a nightclub that is approved and built, it will force me and my family to sell our home and move," Bekteshi said. "I also have a medical business in Burr Ridge, and would be forced to move that as well should I need to relocate my family to a more family style location."

At the time of her email, Rovito was describing Are We Live as a place for live entertainment, dancing and drinks — in other words, a nightclub. However, shortly before the May 3 Plan Commission meeting, Rovito indicated Are We Live would have no live music. It's now being called a lounge.

Patch reported on Bekteshi's email in a mid-April story before the revisions to Rovito's plan became publicly known.

In her Dec. 31 email, Bekteshi said Capri Ristorante was one of her favorites. But she said a nightclub would destroy the peace and serenity of the area.

"Please remember our family values and the destruction you will cause in allowing this to come into our community and please vote against a nightclub near our highly taxed home," Bekteshi said.

Bekteshi did not return phone and email messages for comment left on Tuesday.

Here's is Bekteshi's Dec. 31 email to Village Hall: