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Huntley might get its first microbrewery by year's end

Huntley village officials have greenlighted development of a microbrewery/taproom just north of downtown that could open by year end.

The concept was proposed last spring by industrial sewing machine manufacturer Union Special LLC of Huntley for its property west of Route 47 and three blocks north of Main Street.

The village plan commission gave its blessing this week and the village board voted unanimously Thursday to approve final plans.

Union Special and Sew Hop'd Brewery plan to use a 2,700-square-foot vacant space within the former Borden Dairy section at the southeast corner of the manufacturing plant for the brewery.

It will be Huntley's first microbrewery and include an outdoor beer garden with a seating area off Fourth Street. Patrons can purchase craft beer produced in the taproom for on-site consumption or take it to go in controlled containers.

Union Special has been operating in Huntley since 1949. Originally established in 1881, it is the oldest, largest and the one of the last industrial sewing machine manufacturers in the country, according to the company's website.

Craft beer enthusiasts and owners Terry Hitpas, Tom Bartel and Lance Lamb, who have been with the company more than 35 years each, acquired the business from foreign investors in 2008. The trio is part of the owner/investor group funding building and site improvements to accommodate the brewery. They also will seek local investors to help with the project, according to Lamb, a lifelong Huntley resident.

Once open, the brewery will host tastings and distribute craft beer to local restaurants. The taproom, seating roughly 80 people with room for roughly 40 people in the outdoor patio, will offer prepackaged food items, such as breadsticks or cheese. Patrons also will be allowed to bring in food.

Revenue estimates were not available. Sew Hop'd Brewery will rent space from Union Special, helping fund site and building improvements.

Village officials authorized a zoning change to allow a microbrewery/winery as a special use within a manufacturing district. The business also will need a new liquor license classification, said Charles Nordman, director of development services.

"They would like to open by the end of the year," Nordman said. "They've got a build-out to do in there. The space they are going into is a former boiler room. They do have a fair amount of work. They have not submitted a building permit (application) yet."

More than 20 tenants, including printing and engineering businesses, and wrestling, baseball and soccer clubs, lease space within the Union Special building. Officials have said the brewery could serve as an anchor for future development of the southernmost portion of the site.

Microbrewery might be coming to Huntley

  Huntley village officials this week approved plans for a microbrewery/taproom in a 2,700-square-foot space at the southeast corner of the Union Special manufacturing facility near downtown. It will include craft beer produced on-site, a taproom, and an outdoor beer garden. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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