Waukegan Ald. Jose A. Guzman, 2nd Ward, began working at Dockside Dogs when he was 8 removing debris from the hotdog stand at the city’s harbor and filling the soda machine.
Guzman, 47, bought the business in 2014 and got a liquor license six years later to sell beer and margaritas to go with the hotdogs, hamburgers, Italian beef and chicken sandwiches.
Elected to the City Council just over a year ago, Guzman began recusing himself from the proceedings anytime an issue related to liquor licensing was before the legislative body.
But, earlier this year, he learned that was not necessarily enough, and that according to state law he may not be able to continue on the council while holding his liquor license.
So, Guzman chose not to renew Dockside Dogs’ liquor license when it was due last month, electing to remove any potential conflict between operating the harbor side eatery during boating season and continuing to serve on the council.
“I dropped the liquor license and stopped selling alcoholic beverages because serving the public is more important right now,” he said. “They should change the law, because it keeps a lot of people out of public service.”
Earlier this year in a similar situation, Highland Park Councilman Jeff Hoobler, who is co-owner of the Ravinia Brewing Company for which he maintains a liquor license, resigned his elected position due to the state law restriction.
He said his constituents elected him for his business experience, and didn’t have any concerns about his liquor license status.
At an April rally of his supporters, Hoobler said, “Someone with a liquor license is not an inferior person. A restaurant owner with a liquor license should be allowed to serve.”
‘An important part of my life’
Guzman, a road maintenance worker — first for Lake Forest and then the Illinois Department of Transportation — since finishing his formal schooling, said spending some of his summers at the lakefront is ingrained.
“I’ve had that view since I was 8 years old,” he said Saturday, looking at the entrance to Waukegan Harbor off Lake Michigan in between preparing food for customers. “This is an important part of my life.”
From mid-April when the boating season begins until it ends in October, Guzman and his Dockside Dogs staff operate the eatery. It has outdoor dining with lakefront views for customers, open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Diners like Candice Swanson of Waukegan are regulars. She stopped there Saturday for an Italian beef sandwich while walking her dog. She said the harbor and beach are among her favorite spots in the city.
“I’ve been coming down there ever since I can remember,” she said. “It’s serene. It’s peaceful. I enjoy walking here, and enjoying this wonderful view.
Quentin and Olga Marx of Lake Forest come to the harbor where their boat is docked. Quentin Marx said they like to frequent Dockside Dogs for meals. They were there with their young son and dog Saturday.
“We like to come by when we’re here,” Olga Marx said. “It’s relaxing”
First coming to the harbor as a young boy in 1985 when his father worked at Dockside Dogs, Guzman said he developed a friendship with the owner’s sons and the owner himself. He enjoyed being around the harbor and the beach.
“He gave me a dollar for picking up papers on the deck,” Guzman said. “He put a milk crate by the soda machine to fill it. I wasn’t tall enough to do it then without the crate. I would help all I could.”
By the time he was 16, Guzman said he was working at Dockside Dogs serving customers and helping to prepare the food. He also sold food at the beach for the company.
When he had the opportunity to purchase the business in 2014, Guzman said he jumped at the chance. He had ideas to grow the operation and wanted to implement them.
“It’s been a big part of my life,” Guzman said. “I love the people who come to buy the food. I like being here.”
