ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jan. 18, 2026) – An establishment wishing to join seven others for selling alcohol by the glass in Zeeland could get municipal endorsement of its Michigan Liquor Control Commission Class C license on Monday evening.
A public hearing is slated ahead of a vote by the Zeeland City Council on the request by El Rancho for not only approval of such a license, but also for a Downtown Development Authority redevelopment license, a SDM Liquor License, and an operations contract. According to City Manager Tim Klunder’s memo in the supporting documents to this council meeting, the city’s leadership team recommends the endorsement, as the owners have met most of the municipal requirements for alcohol sales at its location on 17 East Main Avenue.
A stumbling block could be the location being within 500 feet of North Street Christian Reformed Church, which goes against the city ordinance that no such sales by the glass be less than 500 feet from a church or a school. However, Council could waive such a stipulation where it is deemed to be in the best interest of the city, and Klunder said that such a waiver has been done in the past for other such establishments in the downtown district.
Council’s endorsement is necessary before the LCC can decide on El Rancho’s license request. Currently, the Public Restaurant, La Creme Cafe, Streats, the Gritzmaker, Triple Root, Frank’s and Vitales have such licenses.
The Zeeland City Council holds a 5:30 PM Work Study Session ahead of its 7 PM business meeting, both in Chambers at Zeeland City Hall (21 S. Elm St.). An online link to the agenda and supporting documents is here.
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