 |
Brew pub potentially in store for Oak Park
Proposed establishment would provide fresh beer, crafting lessons, tastings
Updated:
 | Share on Facebook |
 | Share on Twitter |
 |
 |
By Anna Lothson
The brew pub revolution may be coming to Oak Park.
With the help of Brian Buckman, owner of Illuminated Brew Works, the establishment would be the first of its kind in the village.
According to Village Clerk Teresa Powell, Oak Park's legal department is still in the process of drafting a new liquor license type and that license would require approval from multiple boards.
Although the exact location isn't set, Buckman indicated an ideal location would be near the CTA Green Line, likely in the Oak Park Avenue/South Boulevard area.
As explained at the liquor control review board last month, Illuminated Brew Works would provide locally produced beer and food. Patrons would be able to taste fresh beer and take classes to learn how to make it. The space would be equipped with a small brewery and tasting spot with a dining area.
Buckman, a Chicago resident, told the liquor board that he looked at opening in the city, but said Oak Park has been more supportive of the idea.
The current timeline for opening is 18 months, according to minutes from the May 22 liquor control review board. Buckman said he anticipated establishing a brewing facility adjacent to the operation in 12 to 18 months.
The pub would have eight taps; four would be theirs and four would be "guest taps" from other Midwest regional beers that would be regularly rotated. Growlers, or reusable containers, would also be available for sale of their beers.
Food offered is said to be small plates, various meats and sandwiches, according to the minutes. In the mornings the pub would offer artisanal coffee and baked goods.
Sara Faust, president of Oak Park Development Corporation, said the group fully supports the microbrewery and pub. She said there's been effort for the past two years to bring such an establishment to the village.
"I think it calls to a demographic in Oak Park that we have — both the connoisseur and younger clientele," she said, naming the popularity of the Oak Park's microbrew fest. "It's an element that we don't have."
Faust said Buckman has provided very organized plans. Likewise, the liquor commission, she said, has asked many thoughtful questions and seems open to reviewing all plans. She said OPDC has been involved in scoping out potential locations that would be good from a zoning perspective, and said the group will continue to help as the plans progress.
Although this would be first microbrewery in Oak Park, Faust said there are ongoing conversations between others and OPDC about bringing similar establishments to the village.
"We think it's a very good fit," she said.
What's new on OakPark.com
 | Ready to start your garden? Take some tips from this year's Spring Home and Garden guide. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Oak Park and River Forest. | |
| Subscribe | Classifieds |
| Photo store | Contact us |
| Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Latest Comments
Chris, Here's more info, with links to even more info......
By Bridgett
Posted: May 25th, 2013 5:26 PM
I absolutely understand that it is mostly state government money, and that is a...
By Chris
Posted: May 25th, 2013 5:19 PM
Chris, Bridgett is correct. The PARC grant program is by statute spent entirely...
By Marty Bracco
Posted: May 25th, 2013 4:50 PM
Chris, the $1.6 million grant is a PARC grant. So if it were spent elsewhere,...
By Bridgett
Posted: May 25th, 2013 4:34 PM
Mr Bracco: How is it all of those things you state? Since you bring up...
By Chris
Posted: May 25th, 2013 4:17 PM
rfrench, your analogy that this project somehow kept people homeless and/or...
By Marty Bracco
Posted: May 25th, 2013 2:23 PM
I'm going to assume that animals will generate the same amount of waste...
By My beef
Posted: May 25th, 2013 1:21 PM
West Side Bridge involvement continues to grow!
By Dawn
Posted: May 25th, 2013 11:52 AM
On: West Side Bridge
Joe
Posted: July 5th, 2012 10:43 AM
@Parking, how about that parking garage over there? Crowded business districts are a good thing! It means more tax $$$!
M on Ridgeland from Oak Park
Posted: July 5th, 2012 9:23 AM
Great area also would be along Harrison St in Arts District. The old grocery store building is still vacant and is a nice size for Pub with food! This area should be a top priority with the Village Board since the mess of the collapse of the other building and the total mishandling of that landlord who owned all these vacant buildings over the years!
JMG from Oak Park
Posted: July 5th, 2012 9:11 AM
Um, McBeer.....Kinderhook is still in business. In fact, they just added breakfast on weekends.
Stoutmaker from Oak Park
Posted: July 4th, 2012 8:44 AM
Fantastic! With the growing popularity of Beer Under Glass @ Garfield Park Conservatory and the new-ish Oak Park Beer Festival, this is actually an ideal spot along the green line as it services the same people already showing interest. Plus Chicago has a slough of microbrews anymore these days. Bringing it to the burb is a fantastic idea.
Parking
Posted: July 1st, 2012 12:07 PM
Its getting a little crowded. Not sure where people will park????? Mia, Georges, Township(both sides soon)WJ, Grape Leaves. Not so sure....
Foolish Mortal
Posted: June 29th, 2012 11:36 AM
100% in Support of this, that great location must not stay empty.
ET phoned home from Forest Park
Posted: June 29th, 2012 9:57 AM
Yum, Yum, Yum!!! Let's get f*d up :)
Rent a Cop
Posted: June 28th, 2012 11:47 PM
Hater http://quest.mapquest.com/social/Marie_Perkins?action=comments
Marie Perkins
Posted: June 28th, 2012 9:30 PM
I brought it up because St. Edmund's is right down the street, that's why.
Maggie from Oak Park, IL
Posted: June 28th, 2012 8:41 PM
Catholics drink beer. Why do some people always have to bring the Catholic Church into anything they might not care about personally.
Best Breakfast Ever
Posted: June 28th, 2012 7:33 PM
Bring Back Jamie's !!! Bring Back Jamie's !!! Bring Back Jamie's !!! Bring Back Jamie's !!!
Marie Perkins
Posted: June 28th, 2012 7:09 PM
I'm all for turning that eyesore that used to be Thyme and Honey and Val's Halla into something like the brewery. Just wondering how St. Edmund's feels about it. Because we all know, when the catholic church doesn't like something, heaven and hell will be moved in order to appease them. Just ask the Chicago Pride Parade.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZ from Oak Park
Posted: June 28th, 2012 3:45 PM
I thought the theme of our venture should be trashy chic. Real down home cooking', with real atmosphere. Not this cartoon BS that they have at Ed Debevic's. The canopy is no problemo... I live south of the Ike. The VOP doesn't give a fiddler's fart what happens down here.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 28th, 2012 2:41 PM
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZ from Oak Park, thank you for the usage of your lawn and canopy. You may have set it up at one time but were told to take it down because I am not aware of any canopy accessing the outwardly side of the sidewall in Oak Park, except Mary Jo's. You will need to clean up your appearance and manners to properly fit into my business venture.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZ from Oak Park
Posted: June 28th, 2012 2:34 PM
Q, I'll be happy to meet at the cheese shop to discuss this business arrangement. I'll be there on Saturday at noon. I'll be wearing my "going out" boxers, the ones with the palm trees. By the way, I have a HUGE grill and a VERY LONG canopy. And your guests will have to be able to tolerate my bad habits, horrible personality and questionable hygienic standards. But I do grill a mean burger.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 28th, 2012 11:07 AM
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZ from Oak Park, we have to have some rules. You first buy the biggest Bar be que you can find. You then construct a canopy stretching from your home to the street fastened to permanent anchoring. You are not going to be seating in your shorts, you will be busy cleaning up. Now what is your address so I can get my weekend business started.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 28th, 2012 11:03 AM
Rebecca, what classifies anyone on a posting board as contributing something? What do you even consider contributing? Do you really think anyone walks away a more knowledgeable person from reading posts? Come on Rebecca, if you think people do, I would consider you insane, maybe delusional might better fit you.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZ from Oak Park
Posted: June 28th, 2012 10:28 AM
Q, you can use my yard ANYTIME for your BBQ's. You just need to tolerate me sitting in my boxers, drinking, hawking, spitting, scratching and farting while your munch on your lunch. Hell, I'll even clean up!
beer is good
Posted: June 28th, 2012 8:16 AM
Rebecca, you're my hero. Perfect location for a pub, let's do it!
Rebecca
Posted: June 28th, 2012 6:57 AM
Mr. Q--your contribution to this discussion is best summed up by this-"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." Amen.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 11:34 PM
Alphabet Guy, do you like to eat your letters B & S with sugar, or what do you eat it with when the public sidewalk gets taken from taxpayers so the cheese shop at Marion and South Blvd., can have a full sidewalk outdoor cafe.
Alphabet Guy
Posted: June 27th, 2012 11:20 PM
Looks like one of the alphabet posters forgot to take their meds today.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 11:19 PM
ref, by the way, will you be letting me use your yard for my week end bar be ques? I will let you clean up the sauce bowls. Don't forget to buy the biggest grill you can find.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 11:17 PM
ref, you are just upset because they through you out as ref for the pony league, including breaking that darn plastic whistle you also where swinging around. You are practicing the art of lets forget facts and everything will be alright type of thinking. That's hard to forget for people who travel by Marion and South Blvd., and think to themselves why the cheese store is allowed to use the entire public sidewalk. ref, maybe you know why. Go ahead and explain it.
ref
Posted: June 27th, 2012 11:09 PM
You are a one-trick pony, Q, and a really boring one at that.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 10:58 PM
ref, I would like to use your yard this Summer for weekends. I'm charging people to eat at my weekend bar b ques. I need you to buy me the biggest bar b que you can find, and I expect you to keep the place clean.
ref
Posted: June 27th, 2012 10:53 PM
Oh good lord, Q what is it with you and the cheese place's sidewalk? you're spamming your sadness about it all over the place. Yawn.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 10:52 PM
Qless, I have been to Europe, a few times, and I have enjoyed outdoor dining. Guess what, Qless? This isn't Europe, this is Oak Park, the best village in America, so give the sidewalk back to the public, and if you feel like visiting Paris, Germany or Amsterdam, I have a friend who will show you around, if you are a nice person. By the way, he speaks 4 languages, how many do you speak? That's another difference Europe and Oak Park don't have.
Qless
Posted: June 27th, 2012 10:42 PM
Clearly you havent been to Europe and dined alfresco. The sidewalks or streets are smaller than ours in Brussels. Have you seen the outdoor seating for Papaspiros, Winberies, Etc. It aint no problem.
Gut check
Posted: June 27th, 2012 6:10 PM
Will this be low fat beer?
Steve from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 6:06 PM
Hurray for beer. YES to beer.
Q from Oak Park
Posted: June 27th, 2012 5:06 PM
McBeer, if they know Mary Jo, who has full access of the public sidewalk at Marion and South Blvd., then she can get the village to support this business venture. Of course I may be all wrong and the 5 million dollars spent on S. Marion street was really suppose to be retail only.
McBeer
Posted: June 27th, 2012 4:52 PM
I like beer. Not sure this is something that would last for more than a short time in Oak Park. Ask Kinderhook