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I'm looking for new ideas on where to meet. We are starting to get a little big for Panera. Especially on Tuesdays when it seems other groups are meeting there.
I looked into Gurnee Mills but it turns out that we can't meet there. Well, we can meet there if we insured our event. If we meet there "unofficially" security would probably ask us to leave, loitering. Same goes in the food court areas. I thought about asking the Borders in the mall if they would be willing to host us but it is on the small side. Individual stores can do what they want. The mall policy would prevent us from meeting in public Mall space.
So, if you have any ideas let's hear them. Please keep in mind it should be free and in a pretty public place. Undecided newcomers should be able to go to the meeting place without having pressure to introduce themselves. Around Gurnee seems to be a pretty central location.

I think as summer comes it won't be so much of an issue, last year I remember we had a lot of smaller meetups during the summer. Another idea would be just to have 3 meetup nights instead of 2.

I've been peeking around to see where other groups meet.

The Chicago meetup group seems to meet at various restaurants and have dinner while they are knitting.

Some groups seem to knit at a LYS.

I see some actually limit the number of attendees - I think that is kind of sucky.

I like the one in Atlanta that meets at a wine bar, but I don't know of one that's very close by.

Panera actually seems to be the most popular from my informal, unscientific survey.

The only other place I can think of that's a good size is the Libertyville Caribou, but I don't know how well that would work for people.

I've been to the Caribou in Libertyville-we'll run into lighting and parking issues. A restauarant may not be a bad idea considering the smoke free environment.
Another potential worth investigating may be "The Present Moment" It is a new age retail/ book store in Downtown Libertyville that opens up for their own sponsored events a couple of nights per month. Perhaps it may be worth while to inquire there. They move their book shelves and open up the space for meetings.
The only wine bars I can think of are in Lincolnshire-Bin 36 and there is one in Highland Park but we are running into location issues.
Following Kelly's idea once the weather improves and the days get longer there is an open concert/live band series that is held weekly at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve. You can pack a picnic style supper-through down your blanket and knit with nature.
Anyway a couple of ideas....

There is a place in downtown Grayslake called the Wine and Martini restaurant. I don't know about the lighting though.

I would like to chime in again and say I don't want to just meet at the yarn store every time. I am not stuck on Panera, but would vastly prefer a place that sells some type of food/beverages.

There is a place in downtown Grayslake called the Wine and Martini restaurant. I don't know about the lighting though.

If you are talking about the Vine it's dark

I went to Potbelly's on/near 120 left week. (By the Walmart in Waukegan) It was a nice space. Lots of tables. I went there during the day so I would have to check on the lighting at night. I know Waukegan is not the best place location wise. But are there any other free standing, bigger Potbelly's around? The one in Gurnee is on the smaller side. The Waukegan one was almost twice as big and had tables outside as well.

The one in Vernon Hills is pretty big, I think, though I know it's not too central...