The owners of the now closed Flatlander’s Restaurant and Brewery in Lincolnshire finally have the green light to move forward with their new brewery; Big Chicago Brewing Company.
According to the Lake County News-Sun, the Zion City Council recently approved a special use permit paving the way for the brewery to open in the historic Warwick Building.
“According to the owners, they plan to brew and bottle craft beer at the Zion facility and also on contract for other brewers who do not have their own brewing plants.
Mindful of Zion’s sensitive prohibition past, there will be no retail sales. However, beer and liquor are already sold in a handful of Zion stores and restaurants.
The owners pointed out that brewing is “a very big operation which uses large quantity of water which they recycle.” The brewery will employ 10 to 20 local people.”
This was the second go-round before the Zion City Council for Owners Russ Sher and Tom Inghram. They presented their plan in June but were met with some resistance.
The Flatlander’s name isn’t going away completely. The owners say it will adorn their planned restaurant in Mundelein.
There’s no word on when Big Chicago’s beers will first hit the bottling line.