Ex-College Ball Player Plans Elmhurst Hybrid Bottle Shop

ELMHURST, IL — A former Elmhurst University baseball player is looking to serve people from the heart with a new taproom and eatery.

Eric Farrell, along with his business partners Jay Andres and Josh Painter, are planning to open a craft beer shop and restaurant at 542 Spring Road, in Elmhurst’s Spring Road business district.

Farrell describes the concept as a hybrid taproom and bottle shop with a 600-square-foot kitchen that will serve a taqueria-inspired menu.

He also said Bottle Theory will offer 500 different bottles and cans from 200 brewers. Bottle Theory plans to team up with Chicago-based brewers, including Hop Butcher For The World, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Revolution, and Dovetail Brewery. The roster is also expected to include suburban brewers such as St. Charles-based Riverlands Brewing Co.

Farrell told Patch that Bottle Theory’s concept of a hybrid bottle shop is an “up-and-coming model” that’s exploding in the area, with similar establishments like The Beer Cellar in Glen Ellyn and Geneva, Orange and Brew in Downers Grove, and The Beer Temple and Bottles & Cans in Chicago.

However, Farrell hopes to distinguish Bottle Theory by offering a limited taqueria-inspired menu. Not many bottle shops in Illinois, he said, have kitchens preparing their food in-house.

“Having our own kitchen was another great way for people to connect to the model and to get something that was unique,” Farrell said.

Bottle Theory will include a dining area for 70 guests.

The build-out for Bottle Theory is underway. It is expected to be completed in late August or early September. Farrell hopes to open by Oct. 1 at the latest.

Farrell, who has had 18 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, said this was the most fun he has had during his professional career.

“This is the number one thing I’ve thought about for the last decade,” Farrell said.

The Elmhurst location will be Bottle Theory’s flagship, with more locations planned for across the Chicago area, according to its business concept submitted to the city.

On Monday, the City Council’s Public Safety Committee recommended approval of Bottle Theory's liquor license request.