‘We’re super excited’: North Shore Distillery moving to Mundelein

After more than 20 years in Green Oaks, North Shore Distillery is moving to Mundelein.

Illinois’ oldest craft distillery, North Shore is shuttering its operation at 13990 W. Rockland Road next week. Owners Sonja and Derek Kassebaum plan to reopen the distillery in an industrial building at 901 E. Orchard St. in June.

Fans of North Shore’s cocktail tasting room will have to wait a bit longer to renew that experience, however. The Kassebaums intend to restart that part of the business elsewhere — possibly in downtown Mundelein — later this year.

A change in state law since North Shore was founded allows manufacturing and on-site consumption operations to be in separate places, Kassebaum said.

Assuming the Mundelein village board approves the plans, the Orchard Street site will have a small bottle shop and seating area, she said.

The Kassebaums will gauge the village board’s interest in the project during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday. It’s set for 7 p.m. at village hall, 300 Plaza Circle.

After a presentation about the business, the board will say whether or not the entrepreneurs should apply for a liquor license.

Mayor Robin Meier is excited about the distillery relocating to Mundelein.

“It’s a great business and we look forward to their opening,” she said.

The Kassebaums founded North Shore in 2004 and moved the business to its current home in 2016. Saturday night will be the current tasting room’s last night.

Longtime customers and people who’ve celebrated special events at the distillery have been coming in to share memories and final drinks, Sonja Kassebaum said.

“We’re really very appreciative of the wonderful friends and customers we have made here, and we look forward to making new ones in Mundelein,” she said.

A moving sale is scheduled to run Monday through Wednesday. Furniture and decorative items will be available for purchase, and some items in the distillery store will be discounted, too.