Blue Island Beer Company poured its final batches on tap and closed over the weekend after operating for 11 years at 13355-57 S. Olde Western Ave.
Co-owner Alan Cromwell said the space offered more than just beer, and he learned over the years customers are the most important person at a business.
“We made great beer for people to enjoy while we made friends, celebrated family milestones and brought entertainment to the area they didn’t have to drive to the city for,” he said.
The brewery held a closing garage sale over the weekend, where people could purchase brewery memorabilia, vintage signage, branded glassware, tap handles, decor, equipment, merch, oddities and pieces of Blue Island Beer Co. history, according to a company’s Facebook post.
Cromwell said he felt supported by friends and fans, and he spent time with some regular, longtime customers.
He also said it was special to hear words of appreciation from charities the company supported over the years, such as Hearts to Art, a summer camp for children with parents who have died, Witch-O-Rama, an LGBTQ+ monthly market and Streetz Artz Alliance.
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He said most importantly, memories of bringing Mojo Nixon, an American musician and actor, to Blue Island stand out.
Cromwell cited a potential sale of the company to an area brewery.
The city has also been in discussions about a potential company sale, along with discussions about leasing the building, said Thomas Wogan, Blue Island city administrator.
The city took ownership of the building in 2024 from Olde Western Blue Island LLC, managed by Wesley Realty Group. At the time, Wogan said, the building was in foreclosure and owed back taxes.
The city announced in August 2025 a restaurant was slated to occupy part of the building. Wogan said Tuesday the restaurant is called Trestles, and construction is ongoing.
He said construction at the site is unique, which meant taking time to find the right crew scheduled.
Cromwell previous said restaurant development will extend into the Blue Island Beer Company’s company’s event space, which hosts a variety of live bands.
Wogan said the beer company occasionally used neighboring space for events but that space was never part of its business.
Co-owner Bryan Shimkos said in August the beer company was being pushed out of a building it invested heavily in, such as cleaning the drains, running the plumbing, pouring the concrete floors and reviving “a building that had been long overlooked,” according to a Facebook post.
Cromwell said he plans to continue focusing on his painting business, which he also operated during the 11 years the brewery was open.
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