Warrenton is one step closer to a new coffee shop and bar and grill after the city’s planning and zoning commission approved plans for both at its Feb. 1 meeting.

The plans must still be approved by the board of aldermen. They will consider both items at the Feb. 20 meeting.

If aldermen do approve the plan, both the new coffee and tea shop and the bar and grill would be located along Brune Parkway and Highway 47.

Shield Maiden Coffee Co. would be owned by Sara Bunton. The entrance to the new shop would be off Brune Parkway, and would feature a drive through. 

Planning and zoning commission members did have a concern that traffic could back up onto Brune Parkway, similar to the traffic issues caused during peak hours on Highway 47 near Scooter’s Coffee.

“We could really back up a lot of cars on this site without impeding on the next one,” engineer Bart Korman told the commission, easing their concerns of future traffic back ups on the road.

Bunton told the commission the tentative hours for the coffee shop are 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The plans for MK Ranch Longhorn Bar and Grill include 61 parking spaces and a sand volleyball court, in addition to the restaurant building.

The restaurant is planning to have hours through 1 a.m. when it opens. 

The planning and zoning commission added a condition on use of the volleyball court, which includes ending games at 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on both the coffee shop and bar and grill at the Feb. 20 board of aldermen meeting.

The board meets at 6 p.m.

About the author: Jason Koch is the editor of The Warren County Record, and covers local news and government for the newspaper. He has won multiple awards from both the Indiana and Illinois APME and from the Illinois Press Association. He can be reached at 636-456-6397 or at jason@warrencountyrecord.com