« Good Eating Award Recipients Announced

News Thu Oct 18 2007

Tax Dollars May Give Milwaukee Avenue a Nice Pair of Beer Goggles

By Robyn Nisi

Handlebar owner Josh Deth is pursuing financial help from the city for the redevelopment of a vacant storefront at 2323 North Milwaukee into a two-story brewpub and restaurant scheduled to open by the end of next year. Deth is asking for $490,000 in TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money to help build Revolution Brewing. Deth's proposal, which would be a welcome tenant in a blighted section of the avenue, has the support of 35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon and neighborhood residents. The TIF money would account for a mere 15% of the total bill to rehab the space. Deth's request is pending approval by the City Council.

Robyn / October 19, 2007 1:35 AM

Here's Revolution Brewing's blog, for more info: http://revbrew.com/blog

frank / October 23, 2007 6:23 PM

is it really appropriate to use PUBLIC money to develop a PRIVATE bar. should tax money be used to underwrite private development, sure i like the bar, but come on, most of the benefit is going to be to the owner, not the community. they can supply their own 1/2 million as far as i'm concerned.

Bob Skilnik / October 24, 2007 5:52 PM

You're 100% right Frank. Cut off the sushi joints too. An who wants a coffee in the morning? And those stupid independent owners; let them make way for Barnes & Noble and all those other deep-pocketed companies.

And the clothing stores? Who needs them? Hell, who needs shoes?

Andrew / October 25, 2007 10:11 AM

it's at least more appropriate to use public money on something the public will have regular access to than to use it on something like condos (where the only benefit is to the developer). it seems that's where most TIF money goes anyways...

Bob Skilnik / November 15, 2007 10:02 AM

Goose Island used TIF money to help build their first brewpub. If I recall, they also used some city aid to build a loading dock at the bottling operation.

TIF money is typically used in areas that need some investor encouragement. When the Goose built the Clybourn pub, Cabrini Greens was right down the road. That whole area, now too built up (my opinion) and filled with big name stores, would have been a shooting gallery for junkies if the city hadn't stepped in and offered some assistance.

I'm not familiar with the area that Josh is building his pub, but I'll bet it's being gentrified and in need of financial help from investors and the city.

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

The State of Food Writing

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »

Events

Drive-Thru on Flickr

Join the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.

About Drive-Thru

Drive-Thru is the food and drink section of Gapers Block, covering the city's vibrant dining, drinking and cooking scene. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Robyn Nisi, rn@gapersblock.com
Drive-Thru staff inbox: drivethru@gapersblock.com

Subscribe in a reader.

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50
Shipping included

GB T-Shirt $12
Shipping included

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15
Shipping included

Gapers Block has ceased publication.

TODAY

Search