Goose's pub cooked
CLOSING ON CLYBOURN | Beer Co. says it's losing its lease on original site
Goose Island Beer Co. said Monday it will close its original brew pub at 1800 N. Clybourn by year-end because it lost its lease.
The Chicago-based company, founded at the Clybourn site in 1988, will continue to operate its Wrigleyville Brew Pub at 3535 N. Clark and to brew and ship beer from 1800 W. Fulton.
(Sun-Times file)
The company sells its beers and handcrafted sodas in 15 states and Europe.
John Hall, the company's founder and chief executive, said he has been unable to negotiate a renewed lease with his landlord. Deerfield-based CRM Properties Group Ltd., which is run by Charles Malk, owns the property.
Hall said he was not aware of any redevelopment plans. "They have told me they have a lot of interest in the property," he said.
Malk did not return calls for comment. He took over the site in 1993 and demolished most of the old Turtle Wax factory, replacing it with a suburban-style strip mall.
Goose Island's building was the only part of the old factory left standing. The rest of the site is leased to stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond and Patagonia.
"It's a very sad day for me," Hall said of the announced closing. The Clybourn location won national and international awards and produced 2,100 batches of beer in more than 200 styles, he said.
Twenty years ago, it also helped revitalize an industrial area plagued by vacant buildings.
The closing will affect about 75 employees.
"The bulk are full time or close to it," Hall said.
With about 250 employees, the company will be unable to place all the Clybourn workers at its other sites, Hall said, adding, he is scouting the Chicago area for a new location but will need time to set one up.
"The Clybourn Brew Pub has been like a second home to me for the past 20 years," Hall said. "I've made a lot of good friends over a pint of beer."
Goose Island shipped 90,000 barrels of beer last year. The most popular varieties are its 312 Urban Wheat and Honkers Ale, Hall said.