CVS Closing, 'Oldest Brewery In America' Comes To Town: IL Business News

ILLINOIS — A beloved beer company— dubbing itself the oldest in the country — announced this week that it's expanding to Illinois, while Chicago icon Portillo's is gearing up for a new location.

Meanwhile, a local brewery is rebranding after litigation by a powerful nonprofit, and a suburban CVS store is closing soon.

Here's a look at some of Illinois Patch's recent top business stories:

CVS Closing Suburban Location

Customers were notified the location is closing later this month. "Store closure decisions are based on several factors, including population shifts, consumer buying patterns, store and pharmacy density, pharmacy care access and community health needs," CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault told Patch.

'Oldest Brewery in America' Expanding Into IL

The beer company, which bills itself as the "oldest brewery in America," announced Wednesday it is expanding into the Prairie State in early 2025, available on tap in many spots starting in January.

Following Lawsuit, Brewery Rebrands, Closes Taproom

After a contentious legal battle between the most powerful nonprofit in town and its only brewery over the use of the name of the neighborhood they both share, the owners of the local microbrewery last week revealed their business's new name.

Lion Electric: No More Electric Buses Here

It's been more than three and a half years since Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker visited Joliet to reveal that Lion Electric, a Canadian electric-bus manufacturing company in Quebec, will open its first United States automobile manufacturing plant in the suburbs. On Monday, CBC News, a Montreal-based outlet, broke the story that Quebec-based Lion Electric continues to have bad news — so much bad news that the manufacturing plant of the electric buses is coming to an end.

It's Official: Portillo's Will Open In Suburb

Portillo's will redevelop a former PNC Bank building for a smaller drive-thru-style restaurant.

Lotus Banh Mi Opens New Location

Lotus Banh Mi's menu offers a variety of pho, noodle salads, rice bowls, and, of course, banh mi. Diners can opt for honey-grilled pork, ginger chicken and other meat-based banh mi. Vegetarians and vegans can choose the Veggiecado, a banh mi sandwich topped with crispy tofu, tomato, avocado, soy sauce and sweet chili.

Pizza Ranch Will No Longer Stay Open 7 Days A Week

"I want to apologize to our New and Loyal Customers. I’m very sorry. No restaurant ever wants to close on a day if they don’t have to," the general manager announced on Facebook.

Matty's Grill Now Open For Dinner, Here's New Menu

"To celebrate, we’ve created a special dinner menu featuring wonderful, tasty meals that we’re sure the community will love," the owner said.