Nanobrewery slated for East Dundee development

Work may just be beginning on the new mixed-use development in downtown East Dundee — a more than $4 million project — but developers already have big plans for what's going inside.

Two establishments, a Mexican restaurant called Joe's Cantina and Matt O'Shay's Irish Pub, have been committed to the 311 Barrington Ave. location for months.

Now, business broker Tracy Burnidge said developers are finalizing plans to fill the last remaining retail space on the first floor with an independent, family-owned nanobrewery.

As “East Dundee's home brewery,” Burnidge said, the 2,500-square-foot facility would have a beer-tasting center but would not sell food. It would be run by a couple experienced in brewing beer who are looking to “take on a new venture,” he said.

Last month, the village board voted to allow small breweries to brew up to 155,000 gallons of beer per year, which they could then distribute to other establishments or sell on site.

In addition to filling retail space on the first floor, Burnidge said he already has several people on a waitlist for the 10 loft-style apartments — three two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom — that will be located on the top floor.

Work on the development is expected to begin within the next week, Burnidge said, starting with the demolition of a building at the corner of Barrington Avenue and Fourth Street.

Plans to begin construction on the building last month were delayed because of issues with the property's soil, he said. As a result, costs went up, and building drawings and preliminary engineering work had to be reconfigured. The initial site plan also called for a basement, which had to be nixed, he said.

The village board voted Tuesday on a new redevelopment agreement with developers, which alters timing and funding details.

East Dundee agreed to reimburse investors for 28 percent of the total cost of the project, capped at $1.1 million, through tax increment financing funds and business development taxes.

The village will also create a public parking lot on that property, Village President Lael Miller said, and developers will pay for a parking space for each of the 10 apartments.

“I'm just excited to finally get it going,” Burnidge said, noting that construction will likely take about six months. “Everybody's been great to work with. We're ready to go.”