Empty MyGrain Brewing In Joliet: City Gives Promising Outlook On Historic Union Station

JOLIET — August will mark the two-year anniversary since MyGrain Brewing Company called it quits after a six-year run in downtown Joliet inside the historic Union Station. But don't be sad. City of Joliet officials have promising news to share. They anticipate having as many as five different proposals for reopening the property.

During Wednesday's interview at City Hall, Joliet economic development director Paulina Martinez told Joliet Patch the city's top priority is to attract "a restaurant, not limited to seeing a brewery, but a family friendly eatery bar."

The city of Joliet is accepting proposals for the empty MyGrain Brewery through Friday, May 2.

"A brewery does not have to be part of the concept really, but we want a restaurant there," Martinez stressed. "And it's turnkey."

Martinez has given at least 10 tours so far showcasing the first-floor property inside the Union Station, which is next to the commuter rail lines for the Gateway Transportation Center. Union Station is just a block away from the Joliet Slammers baseball stadium, which has seen a surge in attendance and optimism now that Mike Veeck, his son Nighttrain, and world-famous actor Bill Murray are the new owners.

Patch asked Martinez if Joliet had a particular restaurant cuisine in mind for the former MyGrain location.

"I don't have a particular preference. We're open to ideas as long as the restaurant is active and we want a team experienced in the hospitality industry," Martinez told Joliet Patch. "The stadium is definitely one of the assets we listed."

Martinez told Patch that City Hall has already received two proposals for restaurants at the former MyGrain property.

"If we can get at least three more, that would be good. I'm expecting five, hopefully," she remarked. "We're really motivated to see the space active again. We're open to ideas, willing to negotiate and ready to select the best proposal that we receive."

She said the restaurant that will be chosen will work out a lease agreement to occupy the city of Joliet's space inside the Union Station. The grand ballroom on the upper level of Union Station is already utilized by Events By Mistwood Golf Club, mostly for wedding receptions.

If Martinez has her way, the MyGrain vacancy will be filled sometime this summer.

"I'm hoping within the next three months, after submissions, that we would have someone picked," she said.

Joliet will continue to receive proposals on an ongoing basis, even after the May 2 deadline, until the lease of the building is complete. However, Martinez said her office will give priority status to the restaurant proposals that are submitted by the May 2 deadline.

All proposals should be sent in a PDF format to Joliet economic development specialist Emily McGuire at emcguire@joliet.gov

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

MyGrain Brewing In Joliet Closing After 6 Years Of Drinks, Food

Joliet To Spend $250,000 To Purchase Empty MyGrain Brewing Assets