October 21st, 2014 11:57 AM

Business partners and Oak Park residents Steve Loranz and Neal Armstrong are planning to open a craft brewery at 6806 Roosevelt Road. (David Pierini/staff photographer)

By Timothy Inklebarger

Staff Reporter

Oak Park could get a new craft brewery at 6806 Roosevelt Road, but co-owner Steve Loranz is not ready to reveal too much about the business just yet.

Loranz, along with partner Neal Armstrong, applied for an amendment to the zoning ordinance and a special-use permit to allow the manufacturing facility to operate in the Roosevelt Road business corridor. The proposal was forwarded to the Plan Commission for consideration.

Loranz told village trustees at a meeting Monday that the venture would be a small-scale production brewery with a small tasting room. He emphasized that the brewery, which still has not been named, will not include a restaurant or full-service bar.

"I think it will be a good addition, especially in that corridor," Loranz said.

The proposed location is on Roosevelt Road just west of Oak Park Avenue.

Loranz, who currently works as a software developer, said he's lived in Oak Park for 10 years, and his business partner, who works as an accountant for a large bank, also resides in the village.

"We want to invest in Oak Park," Loranz said in an interview following the board meeting. "For both of us, this is our home and our families are here, and we want to put our best foot forward and make that investment."

Loranz was short on details about his business plan – such as what kind of beer they plan to make – noting that he and Armstrong are, "trying to get through all the hurdles before we make a big deal about it."

He said they have not yet closed on the property, but added that closing is not contingent on approval of the amendment and the special-use permit.

"We're kind of taking a leap of faith," he said.

He said the group also will be bringing investors into the business, but did not give details.

The group has been working with the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation to find the property. OPEDC Executive Director John Hedges said in recent weeks that two craft breweries are looking to open up in Oak Park – that's in addition to the Hamburger Mary's and Oak Park Brewing Company planned for 155 S. Oak Park Ave.

A proposal for another craft brew business, known as Noon Whistle Brewing, surfaced earlier this year, but the group was unable to locate an appropriate site for the business.

Contact:

Email: tim@oakpark.com