North Aurora considering brewpub

The man behind the Turf Room in North Aurora has proposed building a brewpub with a microbrewery that would grow some of the ingredients on-site.

Parker Grabowski wants to build Hardware Restaurant at the Orchard Commons shopping center at the northwest corner of Orchard Road and Oak Street.

The plan will be reviewed at 7 p.m. Tuesday by the North Aurora Plan Commission at the village hall, 25 E. State St. The hearing is necessary because the proposal differs from what was originally proposed for the site when it was annexed to the village. The lots were originally supposed to house a restaurant, a gas station and shops.

According to the application, an 8.338-square-foot brewpub would be built first, Beer would be brewed on the premises, for customers to drink there or buy to take home. The beers would also be sold at the company's other restaurants.

Once production exceeds 3,000 barrels a year, a separate microbrewery capable of producing 12,000 barrels would be built. It would also have a tasting room.

The plan also calls for a cistern to catch rainwater to water fruit trees.

According to the application, the village has received comments from two people. One inquired about the emissions that could come from the brewery, and the other wrote that they favored the development.