I think we should have a dress code for everyone. The weather is getting warm and all those people will be going out to the beaches wearing practically nothing at all. How will people be able to drive safely down Sheridan Road? Evanston was the home of the WCTU. We need to bring them back. Francis Williard home is an Evanston Landmark and allowing places to sell liquor or people to dress immodestly is a disgrace to our heritage.

it's okay for NU students and a bunch of underage kids to drink and hang around The Keg till all hours of the night---all the while tying up numerous patrol cars to watch over the bedlam---but it's not okay for this???---I'm guessing one will see far more scantily clad people hanging around The Keg than you'll ever see at this joint...the mind set here to deny them a liquor license quite simply put---stupid

"Softcore porn" Are you kidding me? How about organizing against the violence in this town? Or the crime? Or the fact that a kid was shot at a McDonalds in this fair city. Get over yourself people. You are organizing against a possible business that could possibly bring MONEY and BUSINESS to downtown Evanston. Absolutely ridiculous. How about spending your time taking to your children about these issues instead of just shielding your city against this restaurant, oh I'm sorry, I meant the end of the world as we know it. Don't want to go there, don't go there, don't take your kids there. Talk to your kids why dressing like that isn't right. Oh wait, most likely your own kids are dressing far, far worse. Is that too much for you? You all need to wake up!

Petition Update - Currently 167 signatures 154 Females 13 Males mmmmmmmmmmmm. Someone must have forgot to mention that the guys working wear kilts.

You bet there are more important issues in this town and the world than TK, which is why I resent having to spend precious time trying to keep the T and A eatery out of downtown Ev. This venue is not tucked away, as is The Keg. It's right out there on family-friendly, Ft. Square, and the proposed space has large, clear glass windows on all sides. "So annoyed", how about using a name, to better discuss the city's very real problems? Last year I wrote the Ev. Review and talked to the police after my son was mugged and robbed during the day while walking to ETHS. I discuss values with my kids, precisely because I value standards that do not portray young women as sex objects. I commit time to opposing TK, as is my free speech right. The TK franchise, in contrast, does not have a right to a liquor license, which is a legal privilege. Part of the process of securing that privilege is my right to object. Revenue? If that's always going to be the bottom line,we never have need of any standards. We can find better ways of generating city revenue. If TK moves in, btw, I move out my law practice, which is in the TK building. Kathleen and I actively participate in many civil rights causes. This is why we make time to explain that a TK will have as part of its "theme" a pool table depicting the kilted outline of a busty young woman; her genital area will be on the receiving end of a pool cue. Nice message for kids.

I have very mixed emotions about this issue. On the one hand, you have a legitimate business that wants to open. On the other hand, you have people who object to the way this business presents itself. And thirdly, you have the city of Evanston desperate for revenue.

As a veteran, Fountain Square is hollowed ground to me because of the memorials to Evanston Veterans who gave their lives so we can have such debates. During the next Memorial Day weekend events at Fountain Square, would I prefer to see boarded up windows or a thriving business with 'garmently challenged' waitresses? I wish there were a third option.

I certainly don't envy the members of the Liquor Commission who have to make this difficult decision.

I agree Cynthia. I think we can find a something better than a restaurant that has to classify the waitresses as "actresses" in order to avoid following equal opportunity employment laws.

Evanston's progressive history ? I guess I define "progressive" far differently. Having been born in Europe I still am some what amused at the American double standard, Concerning the human body. Sex, porn has little to do with the way a person dresses. If this were true you should be petitioning retail clothing stores. Kids should not be taught to see fear in the human form or feel incredibly uncomfortable viewing it. Didn't they try to ban Michael Anglo's David here at one time? Sad really. Also beauty is a fleeting thing, It should be admired . And LOL to Greg, I will keep my eyes closed while driving down Sheridan road.....

I didn't realize the shirts the servers wore had built-in boobs! Should have read "cleavage-BARING" shirts. Please, have someone proof the material!!!

Cynthia-
You know that the windows are not going to be open for people walking by to look in. If you feel a need to move your office, I can understand. I'll help you move. But a business that is going to hire perhaps 100 people in the area, contribute to the tax base and will help clean up fountain square and the adjoining area is a better idea then more vacant space downtown, loss of jobs, tax revenue and giving additional reasons for people to take their shopping and dining out budgets elsewhere.

Fine, let's continue to turn Evanston into that town in Back to the Future whatever...run by desperate and misguided pursuits of money instead of aesthetics and community. This place is for men and the women who like to support male dominated venues. I think it's disgusting and wish Evanston had more affordable arts venues like Space, but affordable, y'know? What does a franchise type of theme park restaurant in the town square say about our city?

Let's leave the hoes at the Two Carnation Spa and instead try to keep the downtown area classist and elitist. Because if I wanted to live in a suburb that wasn't, I'd move to Niles. TK is WT. Can Ted honestly say this is the ONLY franchise he could operate successfully in the heart of downtown? Please.

You people amaze me. If you are so concerned about moral retail business in Evanston...THEN FIND SOMETHING SUITABLE AS A REPLACEMENT!!!! Absolutely no one is doing anything to bring new business to Evanston. All you puritans do is just complain that something provocative is coming and you don't want your delicate children's eyes to see anything. Please unplug the videogames, TV, phone, and internet you use to entertain your children and send them off to Amish Country if you feel that way. By the way, don't go to TK. If no one goes, then it fails and goes away....just like Omaggio, Al's Italian Beef, Coffee Place on Orrington, Borders, and Dunkin Donuts. One more thing...next time property tax goes up in Evanston...all you bible swinging, moral orels can pony up additional money to cover the amount lost by a potentially successful business. Goodness, the public has too much say here; this has gotten to be ridiculous.

Cynthia or anyone else who has actually been to the TK---Is it like a sports bar concept? Evanston could really use a place that aired soccer games like the Globe Pub on Irving Park in the city. If the whole Scottish theme extends to soccer, then this might be pretty cool--assuming the pool tables are legit!

I wish Patch had a rating system for comments, So I could give most of you a thumbs up.....:-)

So many of you sound so self-righteous.You have 3 kids you don't want in there.Then don't take them.They serve alcohol there.So unless your with your children they shouldn't be in there in the first place.Its like Hooters?My wife and I have been taking our kids there for 20 years.My son is a school teacher,and my daughter a hairdresser.Neither one of them has had any life problems from enjoying good chicken and being very well taken care of by the girls working there.The girls are there to make a buck,just like all of us.Its a job,thats all .The Tilted Kilt is no different.I'll bet you take your kids there and they'll be kind and so nice to the children even u might go back again?I say bring em in.

What about extending the "entertainment" & adding male servers. They can wear kilts (like REAL Scottish men)! Let them try & bend over the "pool tables" then let's see the comments from most of the males who have commented here. Maybe some will even stop by for an application.

Give me a break....If you have three kids and dont want to go there, DON'T GO....This is the US of A. You are a socialist and need to live in Old Russia, and keep your kids inside....Do you watch TV? Why don't you petition Desperate Housewives, or Sex and the City? If your husband wants to go there, let him go. Maybe you should go with him, and see that the Tilted Kilt is not a strip joint...it is a Pub and Eatery....

Give me a break......

Steve S.

Too bad the city can't mandate a dress code for the servers - that would solve everyone's problem.

Meredith,it sounds as if you've never been to one.The dress code isn't anything you don't see every day on televison or at the movies or out your front door.Is not a whore house.What don't you narrow minded people understand?I wish we were all this concerned over the high price of gasoline or the crime thats getting out of hand.

I say give them the liquor license. Evanston could use some good looking women.

Next let's not allow bathing suits at the beaches those scantily suited girls are such a distraction. By the way if this restaurants dress code bothers you do not go in! Whoever thinks a uniform inide a restaurant will harm them really needs to think of things that truly matter in evanston and the world. I thought this was 2011 not 1911.

I was shocked when I went to the TK in our town, Johns Creek, Ga. 2 yrs ago It's in a nice shopping center, less than a block from a mega- sized Presbyterian church, across the street from the new high school, and in the same lot as a family oriented movie theater. It was just there one day, replacing another eatery. We walked in and "whoa", not wanting to be a prude we decided to stay...And have never returned. It was more the food and price that turned us away. The staff was nice enough, but
the concept is a bit ridiculous. Totally surprised they survived and have opened a few more in te Atlanta area.

OK, as an alumni I have certain concerns on both sides. I agree with everyone who says downtown Evanston needs businesses of some type. I was down there recently and was blown away by the number of empty store fronts. Quite sad and obvious. If there was not room for the Kilt maybe I would have more understanding, but you gotta be kidding me.

However, do we really think the co-eds of Northwestern are up to this opportunity?? Just saying, the Kilt may need to spend a little on scholarships for talent from the rest of the Big Ten. But at least there will be somewhere worth going to in Evanston on game day.

Bill,FYI unless there are two or more of you, and you are of the masc gender, the word is "alumnus," the masc plural of which is "alumni." The fem is "alumna," plural "alumnae"; but to your letter: I'm trying to keep count of how many prudes and straightlaced persons there are here in E. I can't believe the responses to this article. E needs businesses, if you don't like it, don't go in. MacDonalds appears now to be more dangerous than any TK would be.

alcohol + sexual objectification = sexual violence. Getting shot is not the only kind of violence we need to worry about in Evanston.

the uniform that the waitresses are wearing don't seem to be all that different than what many of evanston' teenage daughters are wearing downtown each summer.

To all of the comments with reference to the many vacent store fronts, the vast majority is being caused by the developer that a few years ago purchased the corner building on Church between Sherman & Orrington to build the "SPIRE"! All of the vacant stores in that building will remain vacant for years until the developer levels the building & completes the construction for the "SPIRE", (if that ever happens). We the current realeststate situation that may be a long way off. Then again if the developer gives up on the "SPIRE" maybe he can start renting to possible permament tenants.

At first glance I was completely opposed to the application of TK. After reading several comments, I have turned completely around. I now am in favor of their application. This city sorely needs revenue. Another new restaurant/bar business to pay the extremely high taxes and license fees charged by our city. More patrons to pay the 16% liquor tax our city imposes. Hooray!

Who the hell are we to tell a legal business whether they have the right to open in our town because we feel they degrade women and our city? Having visited a TK, I guarantee Moms and Dads with families will not be frequenting the place. That sends the strongest message and lets you cast your vote against.
Buffalo Wild Wings, Bravo, Dunkin Donuts etc. Yes, they do fit classless suburbs better but, oh well. You can't be Lord and Master and create an ideal downtown Evanston Wonderland. Its what makes this country great. Get off your high horses.

I attempted to visit the TK in Woodridge while killing some time before my sons hockey game. Its true, usually buxom, scantily clad young women in Irish attire. The place was packed with men and very few women. From the exterior of the bar you do not realize what is going on inside. There are no stripper poles nor lap dances going on in the window. You will have the chance to walk right on by and not be offended. Let TK take the financial gamble and send them your financial message later. Lets see if it is what Evanstonian's want, or not.

Local Restaurant Owner

Mr. Kolfax much of the vacancies U mentioned are recent in reference to the discussions about the "SPIRE".
I noticed that you didn't mention the excessive vacancies in the of the professional offices on the 2nd floor of the Focus building which covers areas on both Sherman Ave, Church & Orrington streets. Yes, we have lost more retail spaces in the last few months, but please consider that that loss of potential customers from the professional offices also contributes to the closing of retail spaces all over downtown Evanston. By the way may I ask have you invested in the "SPIRE"?

Comments are one thing, and personal comments/attacks about family are another. My kids don't dress a la TK, though that's not the point. I very much wish we were addressing other issues instead of dealing, again, with the objectification of young women and the societal belief that T and A is a permissible part of the culture, w/o regard to related issues of sexual violence tied to alcohol consumption and other issues.As a petition- signer commented, if you substitute race or ethnicity for the job requirement "women", the granting of a liquor license to TK would be out of the question. It's not always about the buck , even in a lousy economy. If it were, we could totally transform Sherman Avenue with adult only businesses, eliminate mandatory education with its attendant expense, become the gun-selling center of the country, etc. and rake in a lot of money. Instead, we get to have a civilized discussion about the merits of granting a liquor license to TK. A license which is a privilege, not a right, precisely because there are considerations other than money that may be taken into account. I also question the assumption that TK will necessarily provide a financial benefit. How do you know it won't merely siphon business from other places? The bottom line, though, is that supporters of the petition and I have a right to oppose the grant of a liquor license to TK without snide remarks about our children disguised as comments. Leave my family out of this. Cynthia

Go to almost every restaurant/bar in Evanston. The female wait staff will most likely be wearing something tight and form-fitting. Should we revoke all liquor licenses because of their apparel?

I am certain that the license applicant for TK, who is also the building owner, would much rather have another tenant in his space then try and open a restaurant in these tough economic times. The applicant/landlord also owns other buildings in downtown Evanston and is dealing with the ever increasing vacancies. For those wanting another business to open in this space instead of TK, there are no other businesses interested because of our high taxes, insane bureaucracy, and corruption.

I agree with FT that the Sphere controversy plays a huge role in the vacancies. I tried to open a business on this block but was prevented because of all the shenanigans that goes on in Evanston (investigation pending). Read the following exchange and you will see what I am talking about. Start from the bottom comments and work your way up and you will get a taste of what goes on. (comment numbers 247 and 253 are most interesting)

http://www.quicktopic.com/35/H/rBuLJS2aaJh/p258.243

and if that isn't enough for you -

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-04-01/news/0004010112_1_open-meetings-act-citizens-group-huge-development-project

I hope someday the citizens of Evanston will wake up and see what has been done to our fine city. It isn't pretty.

One reason is , And not just limited to downtown Evanston . Very little if anything is produced in Evanston. If they base the entire plan on consumer economics as most of the U.S. has, failure is almost guaranteed. Soon they will have us all growing corn and raising chickens in our back yards just to survive. What will all the lawyers do then?

You Progressives who live in your little santcuary city are now protesting what you've forced on the rest of the population through your civil liberties and attacks on moral stability from the family structure. Now you complain because your daughters will be subjected to softcore porn. Can't have your cake. Not anymore!

Daughters with brains will understand that waitresses who parade around in Hooters-ish uniforms look silly, maybe even ridiculous - just like other girls who parade around town in their questionable attire. Parents (and the rest of us) might roll our eyes connect this restaurant's billboard with themes such as: the objectification of women, and boorish sales tactics.

But let's face it. Fountain Square, minus skate boarders and homeless people, is a ghost town. And the city needs revenue. Pragmatically speaking, citizens of Evanston should support the Tilted Kilt or Twisted Kilt or Upside Down Kilt. For those of us who find it offensive, we'll stick with other local establishments when in search of cleavage and drunk people. In the mean time, who knows, maybe some of the revenue earned will help save the North and South Branch libraries?

wow people of Evanston... question, do you have any beaches on the north shore, is there a dress code on the beach or is that considered soft core porn too?

I cannot believe i am reading this... and I'm wondering if the libraries that need help is because books were burned too?

the world, has far too many issues in it to be this concerned about a business that wants to pay taxes and bring revenue into your "God Fairing Town"

as someone else stated, if you don't like it don't go, if you don't drink alcohol, don't buy alcohol, if what a person wears bothers you that much, don't look at them... and if your children at that impressionable, move to an island, with no TV, internet, newspapers, etc. shield them so they no of nothing but what you think is right and just... don't allow them to grow up learning for themselves how to be or act, what is moral ... I'm sure your island will teach them more.

wow I'm blown away

WHY is it so hard for people to understand that dressing like a prostitute because you want to and dressing like a prostitute as a condition of employment is a BIG difference. And don't bother telling me that women can "choose" to work there after all the comments about how crappy the economy is these days.

Evanstonian, dressing like a prostitute?? are you freaking kidding me? the people on the north shore need to wake up, this is just a place to hang out and get some good food, have a drink and listen to music

and to someone else's point, how come no one is discussing that the guys that work there wear kilts also, Evanston, you crack me up

Matthew 7:1-3
1Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,
and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye
and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

I actually feel better if the employees are classified as actresses because this means they are "acting like bimbos" instead of actually "being" bimbos. As for employment, I'm 100% sure that The Twisted Kilt (or whatever it's called) isn't forcing women to apply for jobs. Maybe these hotties are angling to make it big at Second City - heck - the next Tina Fey might be right here! Evanstonians, there are so many other things to yammer about, such as:

**fighting the city to keep three library branches in a town with 80,000 residents (cuz we like to read a LOT!),
**feeling a smug sense of satisfaction over the fact that Central Street (east of Green Bay Rd) remains an empty stretch of land instead of a thriving area of small businesses & restaurants and shops as originally proposed (I certainly did not want a fun Mexican restaurant, no way, I prefer weeds!)
**how the big square off Lincoln & Sherman (where Kendall College once stood), remains empty because neighbors opposed affordable housing (way to go Evanston! Keep giving lip service to integration! Oh, you mean integration south of Dempster and west of Greenbay Rd, ok, just checking!)
**the Keg stays in business for 3 decades but Borders goes bankrupt? Seriously?
**Very few items are actually 1 Dollar at the Dollar Store,
**Some guy keeps stealing my gutters
**The Greek yogurts at a certain Dominicks are ALWAYS expired no matter how often I complain (maybe they have something against Greeks?)

To name a few.

Evanstonian, how do you know what prostitutes wear? like your comments Marya Engelmann Flood

We have a choice as a community about what kinds of values we represent. Limiting hiring based on personal appearance and requiring workers to wear sexually revealing clothes is contrary to our community values. The only way this restaurant can avoid discrimination laws is by claiming that the workers are actors. While this thin veneer may provide a legal loophole, we as a community should not accept it. If we allow this kind of restaurant in the centerpiece of our downtown area, it will make us look cheap and tasteless. Let this of restaurant go elsewhere.

Somebody, please Google the word Hypocrite. Please?

This is Evanston. You can have it one way which is crunchy tree huggers who swear they are about diversity, equality, literacy, philanthropy, diplomacy, honesty, integrity, what else? Oh that's right, sustainability.

And yet, the same crunchies who buy bulk couscous (and yes, that includes me) - come up with amazing rationalizations about why affordable housing is not quite acceptable, even if "affordable" is defined as $500K. Ok that is just so embarrassing I hate to type it.

These same crunchies marched around town saying a big movie theatre complex would destroy the "authenticity" of Evanston. Right. Because Church & Maple was so, um, what again? Lively? Rakin' in the money? Guess what granola-kids - the movie theaters are awesome, and for those of you new to Evanston, maybe you don't remember the two sorry theatres on Central Street. Today, thanks to something called commercial development (a nasty term, ew, I feel the need to shower) but anyway, I can shop for earrings, eat a great meal, or just fajitas at Chili's, go to like 4 movies, AND witness a mugging - all in one day! To those of you who only wear Aveda lip gloss, do you realize that before you came here from Boston or California, downtown Evanston was not only hobo-central (yes we called them hobos back in the day) but there was nothing as in N-O-T-H-I-N-G going on.

And furthermore, just to clarify,

I do actually hug (and talk to) trees, so this is not an indictment at all. I am all about grass fed cows and recycling. I just think that we should allow chesty wanna-be actresses to make a few dollars while on their way to Hollywood. For the love of capitalism, God, Druids, Mayor Tisdahl, for the love of my children - some of them girls - who will have other options for dining and might actually find the costumes "fun!" NI know that while visiting Medev Times in Schaumburg- the buxom ladies were known as wenches, not ho's. And everybody loved them because they gave us turkey and lemonade and were very nice. The same could be true of the Reverse-Axel-Kilt.

Not only should the Tilted Kilt get their liquor license, but I would love to see Evanston add a citywide Value Added Tax on top of every consumer purchase - say 20%. Don't forget about the television tax - $300 a year. Want to act like Europe.....this is what you get. And it's all coming your way! No more police - just cameras! Oh! Let's lower the drinking age to 18! AMF

Oh no, here comes Tom again -

Very few people were against the developments that brought us the movie theatres in downtown. We were just opposed to the process (which happened illegally behind closed doors) and the financial risk the developments have on the taxpayers of Evanston. The Church Street Plaza was a public/private development and it has not brought the success (or revenue) that was promised. Many of us 'little people' were vilified for expressing our concerns about the risk of the developments and the corruption involved which is only now coming to light.

The developments drove out most of the existing small independent retail businesses, it canabalized stores from other parts of downtown Evanston leaving many of those spaces still vacant, and if the development goes belly-up, that taxpayers will be left holding the bag - all promises the city of Evanston and the developer made that would never happen. I actually suggested the developer sign a personal guarantee on the project and an Alderman presented it at a meeting. The developer had a hissy-fit over my suggestion.

And as far as affordable housing, be careful of what you ask for. My house has been on the market for 18 months and the best offer so far is $280,000 less then the assessed valuation by the Cook County Assessor. Something tells me I'm not alone in seeing all the equity in my home disappear with little chance of it recovering anytime soon.

Some of you clearly are looking for a hobby or some ridiculous cause du jour to create. It's absolutely pathetic that you have nothing better to do than get riled up about the fact that a bar & grill wants to open in downtown Evanston. Who gives a rats a** what the waitstaff wears?? If it bothers you that much, and offends your delicate sensibilities so much, DON'T GO! You have this thing called a choice: you can make the choice to eat/shop/spend money where you want. This kind of thinking is exactly why the only shoe stores for women in Evanston only carry ugly comfortable shoes..god forbid we got a shoe boutique that carried Louboutins or Jimmy Choo!

And, for what it's worth, have any of you whiny complainers with the delicate moral code ever been to Nevins? Ever noticed how short the skirts on the waitresses are? Well, they are short, very short, and it's so not an issue. There are always families and kids in there and not once have I ever seen anyone become traumatized due to the skirt length of their waitress. Ha! Now you're all probably going to pour in there and decide to petition them, too. Lame.

All of you really need something else to petition against. I mean seriously.... its a restaurant, not a strip club. Most of you are acting like they serve you and a pole drops out of the ceiling. How many of the people protesting have actually gone to a Tilted Kilt? To actually call them women ho's too, really? And you say that the outfits are downgrading? I am a 19 years old and yea my buddies and I go there for the food and to watch whatever game is on but the only thing that classifies these women as ho's are you people. You are placing that label on them. There is a bunch of other things to be protesting against that would be worth the time. How about gas prices and how Exxon Mobil just posted an 11 billion profit in the first quarter. Or the b.s. that we're fed from the government in general. Find something else to complain about please, hopefully not something that creates jobs.

Sometimes a community voice is otherwise known as an annoying voice. In my humble opinion, many of the 2,000 petition signers are comprised by "the usual suspects." They sign every petition, attend every meeting, and protest virtually every issue in Evanston (Central Street Development Project, Main St/ Chicago Ave Development Project, Kendall College Housing Proposal, Downtown Evanston movie theatres, the closing of North and South Branches (never mind the one huge awesome library that we have always had and will continue to have - never mind lack of money to fund them, apparently we need Monopoly game money). Back in "the day", the first liquor store to be opened was met with protest(s), the first McDonalds to be opened was met with protests and a requirement that it "look" a certain way - not like a "regular McDonalds" to preserve the integrity of Evanston. There are a large number of "activists" who - god love 'em, - deserve to have a voice, march through town, sign petitions and yammer about everything under the sun that is good, bad and ugly in Evanston. Of course I support Democracy and free speech so bring it on, tree huggers! With all due respect, these "usual suspects" fail to see the merit in revenue, lively neighborhoods, tourists, etc. Do you really want a long stretch of vacant land instead of restaurants and shops? A half block of weeds instead of houses? Rhetorical questions for the protesters.

I still can't quite wrap my head around how this restaurant will be "forcing" women to work there. That's quite possibly the funniest statement I've read here.

OMG, Evanstonians, lock up your vestal virgins, TK is coming to town!!!

I left a comment. You deleted it. I feel violated.