Neighbors Say No to the Tilted Kilt

A group of Evanston residents has launched a grassroots movement in opposition to the Tilted Kilt, a Hooters-like Celtic themed restaurant and bar that may soon move into Fountain Square.

The Evanston Liquor Control Board will consider granting the Tilted Kilt a Class B1 liquor license at a hearing Tuesday night. Neighbors say they will come out to oppose the license, mainly due to the sexual nature of the business.

Waitresses at the Tilted Kilt wear short skirts and cleavage-baring shirts, and are expected to "connect" with customers, according to their website.

"We are well aware that sex appeal sells, and it’s largely what brings customers in the door," reads the "about us" section on the Tilted Kilt's website. It adds, "We provide visual gratification for all guests."

An organizer of the movement against the Tilted Kilt, Cynthia Farenga, said the restaurant would make it uncomfortable for her daughters to walk around Evanston.

"Objectifying our daughters and neighbors and students is not the way to make money for Evanston," Farenga said, noting that she would rather see the space remain an empty storefront.

"I have three kids," Farenga said, "and I just thought about how incredibly uncomfortable it would be for them to be walking around downtown Evanston with this softcore porn taking up space, in my office building by the way."

Farenga said that since her law office is above the planned location for the Tilted Kilt, she would feel uncomfortable telling her clients to go there.

A small petition that has begun to circulate expresses similar sentiments.

"Such an establishment is based on sexist ideology and flies in the face of Evanston's progressive, respectful history of community building," reads one post on the petition.

Farenga said a group of concerned citizens will be at the meeting Tuesday to speak on the record before the mayor.

Check Evanston Patch Wednesday morning for full coverage of the meeting.