La Grange Park Brewery And Taproom Planned

LA GRANGE PARK, IL — A La Grange Park couple is planning to open a local brewery this spring. They say they are putting on the finishing touches.

Jim Koblish and his fiancée, Shayne Hansen, owners of Hop District Community Brewing Co., hope to start serving customers by early May. The brewery and taproom will be at 23 E. 31st St. in La Grange Park. Its slogan is "Beer with friends."

"Essentially, when COVID hit, I was furloughed and we were looking for our next steps," Koblish said in an email to Patch. "I started distilling in 2009, but moved on to brewing professionally in 2013."

They aim for the brewery to "dig some roots and become a staple in the community," he said.

Koblish said he and Hansen have done the interior work for Hop District, while much of the construction was done by him and his father, Jeff Koblish.

The brewery's plans include self-distribution, local sponsorships and hopefully, beverage-based sister brands, Jim Koblish said.

"We are wrapping up the finishing touches on the taproom right now and should be receiving our Illinois brewer's permit in just a couple of days," Koblish said.

The village approved its liquor license, but Hop District still needs an occupancy permit and health inspection from Cook County, he said.

Hop District has a website and pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.