Back in the summer we heard about grand plans to transform Motor Row into an entertainment district. In conjunction with these announcements and developments was a mention of a new brewery coming to the area to help anchor the new district (as well as the Cheap Trick music venue).At the time we didn't know a ton, but today we got a tip that a new website for Broad Shoulders Brewing was live. The website looks good and gives some more information about the origins of the brewery:
We at Broad Shoulders Brewing are very excited to be located in the Motor Row
neighborhood of the South Loop, at 2337 South Michigan Avenue. We are happy to
be bringing a brewery to a new Southside neighborhood. Broad Shoulders will be
brewing both ales and lagers, with a stronger focus on traditional and
experimental lager styles. The brewery will have a large tasting room and bar.
We invite you to come in and sample our beers. There will also be packaged beer
sales on premise. Look for us next summer on draft at some traditionally known
beer bars, and some new locations on the Southside and around the city.
We like what we see and are glad to hear that they're shooting for a summer opening. This will definitely be something we're closely monitoring as 2012 progresses.
(Hat tip: JJ!)
(Image from: Broad Shoulders Brewery)
This just made my new year! There are hundreds of people who work, live on S. Michigan between Cermak and 26th that we just need a few places to go to to show that we are there(we will come out like zombies) as the neighborhood seems dead if you were to just drive through it right now. With this opening in 2012 and Cheap Trick Chicago (HOPEFULLY), this will be a great start.
ReplyDeleteYIKES
ReplyDeleteWho in their right mind is going to want to venture out to THAT part of the neighborhood??
Now I am looking forward even more to the summer. I live in motor row which will make it easier to crawl home from a long night of beer tasting!
ReplyDeletedec312 - the same thing was said about anything SOUTH of Roosevelt not even 8 years ago. With the 3 year break due to the economy bw 2008-2011, you could say it was only 5 years ago. Anyway - with future boutique hotels, new office buildings on State/23rd, Green Line stop at Cermak/23rd stop + Lexington going rental + visitors to McCormick + guests coming to Fearless Radio right next door, + residents at Motor Row Lofts, Lofts on the Row + hundreds of folks who rent along that strip, I guess you are right, who is going to go there?!
ReplyDeleteI'll defintely be there! Welcome to the area.
ReplyDeleteWHATEVER
ReplyDeleteI'm right and youre wrong, watch and learn over the next 5 years.
Anonymous @12:42 -
ReplyDeleteYour point is well taken!! And yes I am one of the residents of "that" area who will be looking forward to the brewery's opening!!
I look forward to seeing my neighbors there as well. You're invited as well dec312!!
people stop feeding the trolls!
ReplyDeletedec312 is right that area is a crime infested ghost town
ReplyDeletewho in their right mind would live there?
My cousin and her husband live there now...and as soon as they can leave they are. Nothing but panhandlers asking ( sometimes threatening) for money as they go in their lobby door! Also, their car has been spray painted and the building next door just had a tire thrown through it last tuesday in the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteThuis area is an absolute nightmare...the further south you go---abandoned liquer stores and (suprise suprise ) housing projects..
yeah-- I think i'll just stick to having my beer at Scout/Wabash tap/Flo and Santos
Lily - Where is this? I know this was not in Motor Row proper. I have lived here for 3+ years and I have never seen anyone ask me or anyone else for money. The closest thing is State/Cermak which now are the same 5-10 old drunk folks that hang out here and there NOT asking for money. There is only one guy I see on Cermak (small guy)which eventually will go. We have a very tight community down here (south of Cermak) and as every area in the city has had issues (car broken into), there has not been anything major down here even ONCE. There actually is a huge cushion in terms of safety as just south of the area is Mercy Hospital, Doctor Offices, and a Car Dealership - there are no residents until 26th; just to east is McCormick, just to the North is South Loop proper, and to West is Chinatown (Ickes is gone). I agree they need to tear down the two buildings near Cullerton/21st however and maybe that is the area you are speaking of? Have a great New Year everyone!
ReplyDeletePretty cool. Good development for the hood. The naysayers are always going to be naysayers until they are not, leave them be at the douche-central "hoods".
ReplyDeletethe building was in or around 23rd and michigan. I also have another friend of mine who lived there in the Lofts for a year and a half and literally left his lease to goto university village due to the MULTIPLE break ins to his building.
ReplyDeleteI have also read TWICE in the gazette of break-in attempts further south a few blocks at the opera lofts which are butt up next to housing projects.
the church on 14th has also been a problem for years due to the dozens and dozens of squaters. Its not a good neighborhood but i am glad that you feel safe, im sure the growth of the area has helped in the last couple years but I don't think you will find many people anywhere in the city/chicagoland area that want to venture out to this area of town.
smells like a lot of people are pissed they bet on the wrong horse. It's true this stretch of the south loop isn't the most desirable right now, but things are swinging in the right direction and people are pissed they didn't get in at the right time. So keep up with your silly comments about safety, truth is this part of the hood has gotten more attention in the last few months than this whole neighborhood has gotten since the economy took a turn for the worse.
ReplyDeleteWow! University Village (I actually like HALSTED St. for the students), but there have been MURDERS there just one or two blocks WEST almost monthly in 2011 and muggings almost weekly near there. Break-ins happen everywhere, it is more about building security than anything. Have you driven around Logan Square, south and west parts of West Loop, West Town, north part of River North, west part of Wicker Park? All of these areas are HOT in terms of restaurants and bars. Trust me everyone in entire SL has it very easy other than when idiots decide to come from another neighborhood and try to steal an IPHONE.
ReplyDeleteUntil more attention is paid to developing Michigan between Roosevelt and Cermak, yes, no one in their right mind is going to hang out there except for the people who live there. Sorry. And you are not enough to keep those businesses afloat. Clear, hold and build south of Roosevelt and dont just obsess on Cermak and Mich, word to Alderman Fioretti.
ReplyDeleteMy wife took our niece to one of the Loft buildings here and they absolutley loved it. Safe, clean, and beautiful city architecture. I remember as a kid running over to a couple of the autoparts stores in this area. Great for the city..
ReplyDeleteI've lived in the south loop for almost 4 years now, and while I almost never cross south of Cermak, I'm excited to see Broad Shoulders coming in. It's not the best stretch of the city right there, but in order to make it better someone has to be a risk taker and I wish them all the best. I will be happy to go and check the place out once it opens...as long as I have a couple people with me and it's light outside.
ReplyDeleteMonkey Bar Gym is packed in the evenings with people driving over there from all parts of the city.. if they can bring people there in the evening to workout, I am sure a solid restaurant, bar can bring people in from everywhere. It's the same as thousands of folks who come to Reggies for a show at State / Cermak. Also, the addition of a future green line stop at Cermak and a 23rd St exit will be beneficial for places near Reggie's and Motor Row.
ReplyDeleteIs this the same group behind South Loop Brewing Company? Or, is our neighborhood about to become the craft beer capital of Chicago? Brew-ha-ha-heaven!
ReplyDeleteNot same group, but they do have hopes of opening in the South Loop soon. To me synergy is everything in creating pockets of areas. If they open in Motor Row near Broad Shoulders we could probably get away with saying that South Loop now is the Chicago capital of Brewing AND if the two are in immediate proximity of each other the two businesses could really generate buzz off one another as folks will chose it as a "destination" spot and head over. Kinda like heading to Randolph (restaurants) or Damen (to shop). Can't wait for future streetfest with these guys there!!
ReplyDeleteno not the same people from south loop brewery.
ReplyDeleteHey guys.. take it easy. I took a chance in this area in 1982. Remember me? Chef Luciano. I am still here. We did a renovation project and a facelift of our business, spent 400K, we are thrilled with the outcome. Even got a "excellence award for renovation". We have served almost four million meals. Ever heard of CD cleaners, on 22nd and Michigan, perhaps the busiest Dry Cleaners in City of Chicago. By the way, Frank, the BrewMaster of Broad Shoulders had lunch with Rocky and I at our restaurant. He is going to be a Great BrewMaster. He is going to be the hottest spot in South Loop. So please stop smoking cheap crap. Happy New Year. Peace and Prosperity to all my brothers and Sisters.
ReplyDeleteChef,
ReplyDeletewere happy for your continued success however it is not a clear indication of the potential of the entire area south of cermak.
To Anon: You want clear indication,
ReplyDeleteyou are going to leave this PLANET ONE DAY. That is clear. You want something, take risk and if you work hard, you may reap rewards.
So Pal let me give it to you straight, life is what YOU make of it. I came to this greatest country with $.50. And rest is history. Simply put dedication and hard work and you will make it. No ifs or buts.
Chef
ReplyDeleteDo you offer steaks or veal chops at you resturant? I like steaks and pasta.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Frank Lassandrello, and I am the Head Brewer at Broad Shoulders Brewing. We are very excited to be moving into a growing neighborhood on Motor Row. All I can say to everyone who responded about the location of the brewery is, just wait for the beer. If you like good beer you will have no problem stopping in at my brewery for a pint. We are looking forward to all of the new projects that are taking place in the South Loop. Cheers
I think a lot of the naysayers are missing the point. The brewery is going to be a fairly large commercial brewery whose primary business will be supplying bars and retailers. The brewpub aspect, which requires actual patrons to the location, is more of an afterthought or ancillary service. If people don't go, it makes no difference. So if the neighborhood doesn't improve, the brewery doesn't really get hurt. If anything, the lower property taxes may help it.
ReplyDeleteI bet a lot of these people who think Motor Row is dangerous also think Ukrainian Village, Logan Square or Uptown are too risky as well. But I'd rather live in the latter hoods where there's better restaurants, bars, and overall culture and deal with the inherent crime that goes along with such places. There might not be as much crime in Gold Coast, Lincoln Park or Old Town, but it doesn't matter since I'd end up shooting myself in the face for living in such boring, sheltered enclave. Live a little.
ReplyDeleteI am really pumped to see Broad Shoulders and the beers Frank is going to roll out. He is a great brewer with tons of experience. This place is going to be the next best thing since sliced bread.
ReplyDeleteSupport Broad Shoulders!!
The location is fine. Real beer drinkers could care less about that kind of stuff. If you complain about the location, you ought to be drinking girly wine :)
ReplyDelete..jbird
The location is fine...besides..real beer drinkers to worry about stuff like that. For the whiners about the location..you ought to drink girly wine :)
ReplyDeleteouch-- awkward double post...
ReplyDeleteTryin to hard bro
"real beer drinkers" ???
ReplyDeleteyou mean fatasses
Steven - not all of us drink wine coolers
ReplyDeleteLooks like they've run into building permit issues with the city (I know, unbelievable, right?) and opening is delayed until 2013. Possibly as early as January.
ReplyDelete