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Grayslake's Light the Lamp Brewery expansion plan rolls on

Grayslake's Light the Lamp Brewery plans to open late this year in a historic building a block from its current location in the village's downtown.

Brewery co-owner Jeff Sheppard said an architect is designing renovations for what will be a move to the 100-year-old Cupola building on Lake Street where Center Street dead-ends.

"We're very excited about it," Sheppard said, "and we're trying to make sure that we build this right the first time."

Sheppard and chief marketing officer Andrew Zurek provided an update about Light the Lamp's plans after the Grayslake village board addressed a request connected to a special-use permit for the business Tuesday. Light the Lamp's plans received a thumbs-up in May.

Village board members informally supported a proposal of incoming deliveries of brewing materials and outbound product shipments occurring a maximum of twice a week, instead of once as originally agreed upon, to avoid neighborhood disruption. Mayor Rhett Taylor said elected officials should help a business that started in the village attain greater success.

Launched in 2012, hockey-themed Light the Lamp has had a production area and tap room, but no food offerings, in a retail center at 10 N. Lake St. Plans call for it to increase its beer production and have a brewpub with food at the new location at 2 S. Late St. Sheppard said there would be 15 to 20 taps with Light the Lamp's beer before eventual production for shipments elsewhere.

"We'll be working with local distributors to distribute our beer, both in cans and kegs, to bars and restaurants," Sheppard said. "And we hope to start to build our market share from that perspective."

Zurek said cans have a larger surface than bottles, allowing for more design options, and also appeal to younger drinkers.

"I think (beer) just stays a little fresher, a little longer, too," Zurek said. "People really like the portability that cans offer. You can bring them to a beach that you can have alcohol on. You bring a glass bottle, there's a risk of breaking."

As for the vacant Cupola building, it was built in 1916 for an automobile dealership and repair shop. According to "Grayslake: A Historical Portrait," published by the village's historical society, the Brandstetter family owned the building's first business.

Car businesses occupied the structure for roughly its first 50 years, followed by ventures such as a hair salon, gymnastics center, hardware store and flea market. Zurek said Light the Lamp intends to highlight that history for customers.

Sheppard said while the building interior needs extensive renovation, he wants the outside to remain as true as possible to its 1916 construction.

"When you think about the brick exterior, it's perfect for what we're attempting to accomplish," he said.

What's next for Light the Lamp Brewery, Finch Beer Co.

Light the Lamp Brewery is in a retail center at 10 N. Lake St. in Grayslake. The brewery plans to move to the vacant 100-year-old Cupola building at 2 S. Lake. Gilbert R. Boucher II/Daily Herald file photo
  Jeff Sheppard, co-owner of Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake, plans to expand at the 100-year-old Cupola building one block south from the current operation on Lake Street. Bob Susnjara/bsusnjara@dailyherald.com
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