The village of Mundelein is selling an old fire station building to a new restaurant and brewing company, and will provide some economic assistance to help the company open a new business in the downtown area.
Trustees approved a resolution at the July 12 Village Board meeting that allows the property to be sold to Tonality Brewing Company for $340,000. Also, as part of the sale agreement, the business is eligible for assistance from the village in several ways, including grants, reimbursements and a tax-sharing plan.
The old fire station, a 7,200-square-foot building located at 169 North Seymour Avenue, has also been used as a maintenance facility in the past. Tonality is anticipating having to do almost $1 million in renovations, according to village documents.
Changes include installing an elevator, bathrooms, a kitchen, outdoor patio space and rooftop dining, documents show. This includes “completely gutting and rehabilitating the building.”
Mayor Steve Lentz said at the meeting the restaurant’s plans are in line with what the village has wanted to do with its downtown area. He said it should help with increasing density downtown.
“You’re just gonna be able to serve hundreds of additional future residents within walking distance to your place,” Lentz said. “And that’s what we’ve wanted. … So this is just a win-win for everybody here.”
To help with the renovation costs, the village is providing a tax-sharing program that will see the village rebate half of the restaurant’s sales tax over the first five years of business — up to $65,000. The establishment will also be eligible for $65,000 through tax increment financing once it opens. The company is also eligible for the Business Incentive Grant Program, which will match half of exterior building upgrade costs up to $50,000.
The business can also get an additional $180,000 reimbursement for other specific items and expenses. That money will become available when the business owners spend a certain amount. But Community Development Director Amanda Orenchuk said that threshold will be met with the property purchase.
Tonality Brewing Company CEO Zach Gelfand and Chief Operating Officer Don Phillips gave a presentation to the board before the final vote Monday. Phillips said the pair had been working on the business for several years.
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“We are very inspired by the worlds of art and music,” Gelfand said at the meeting. “But beer is our pallet, and beer is our melody.”
Gelfand said the first floor will be used for restaurant seating and a brewery, while the top floor will have event and office space, as well as extra dining space. The pair also said it will be aimed at being a family-friendly place. The menu will consist of items like tacos, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers such as wings and grilled shrimp, according to the presentation.
Trustee Kerston Russell said he was happy Tonality Brewing Company was setting up shop in Mundelein, and said residents he’s spoken with are excited about the new business.
“I can’t tell you how important it is to see you coming into our town,” he said at the meeting.