DeKALB | The limited eating choices on the north side of DeKalb may be expanding.

The Barn, formerly on 1215 Blackhawk Road, had repeated problems in the past few years, including failure to ask for identification before serving alcohol and serving alcohol to minors, City Attorney Norma Guess said.

“I believe they’ve pleaded guilty to that [charge] a couple of times,” Guess said.

The Barn was also charged with collecting cover charges at certain times during the past year, which is prohibited if a Class E liquor license is held. They were found not guilty by Liquor Commissioner Frank Van Buer .

Amid disputed circumstances, The Barn closed in May. According to circuit court documents, at least two court cases involving management are pending.

“The owner voluntarily turned in his liquor license to the city of DeKalb,” City Clerk Donna Johnson said.

Though The Barn may be history, a new prospect is on the horizon for that location .

“The owner of the property is leasing it to some new people, and they’ve applied for a liquor license,” Johnson said. A restaurant is planned to occupy the building.

While the building currently looks disheveled, it is a work in progress.

“They told me they were in there doing some cleaning and things to open up,” Johnson said.

If approved for a liquor license, the new restaurant will be called Reilly’s.

“As far as the city is concerned, we would like to see a restaurant,” Johnson said.

Caitlin Mullen is a city reporter for the Northern Star.