Black & Gray Brewing shuts its doors in downtown East Dundee

After almost eight years in business, Black & Gray Brewing Co. in downtown East Dundee has poured its last pint of beer.

“This was not a decision that we wanted to make, but one that — financially — we have no choice but to endure. We are eternally grateful for this experience,” director of operations Chris Kennedy and owner Teresa Kennedy, a married couple, posted on social media Thursday, Oct. 1.

The message noted that over the past two years, those involved with the operation have watched “brewery after brewery close, sharing the announcements with each other and saying, with a sense of impending doom, ‘There goes another one.’ Well, now it’s our turn.”

Speaking after the news was made public, Chris Kennedy said that for Black & Gray, which opened in February 2019, a contraction in the craft beer market, coupled with high borrowing costs, increased labor costs and increased raw material costs, all contributed to the decision.

“Basically there was more money going out than coming in every month, no matter what we did to cut costs,” he said.

In the post, the Kennedys said they wanted to establish an unpretentious neighborhood tap and to create community.

“If nothing else, we accomplished that,” they wrote.

To that end, Black & Gray was known to locals for the fundraisers it held over the years for various nonprofit organizations, local fire departments and people addressing medical issues, and for the arts-related events it held, including a recent plant-and-sip gathering where patrons painted flowerpots. The brewery also set up booths to sell its beers at village events.

The establishment featured a brewery with a taproom. It did not have a kitchen but allowed patrons to bring in outside food.

“We hosted weddings, reception dinners, baby showers, promotion, retirement and birthday parties,” the post said.

Teresa Kennedy told The Courier-News that through having the business she made some amazing friends who have become family.

“I cherish those relationships and that those bonds will never be broken. I’m blessed to have such wonderful people in my life,” she said.

Black & Gray at one time sold its beer in cans at local stores too, including Woodman’s in Carpentersville. It gained a degree of notoriety last November for working with fellow downtown East Dundee establishment The Distance Social to create Truth or Dare, a limited-edition beer that combined the flavors of Jeppson’s Malört liqueur with Old Style.

Chris Kennedy told The Courier-News that the business rented the space at 311 Barrington Ave. He said he assumes that since a bank has a lien on all the brewery property, it will be taking possession of everything.

The couple concluded their post by saying, “Now that it is over, we are going to go to sleep for a year or so to recuperate. We will see you around. And don’t forget to get out there and support those small, local businesses. God knows most of them are holding on with nothing more than a hope and a prayer.”

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.