Original Goose to Stay Put
Goose Island Claybourn brewpub is able renew lease
There are some advantages to a sour economy.
Goose Island Beer Co. has learned that they won’t have to close its original Clybourn Street brew pub after all. The building’s owner and landlord had refused to renew the Goose Island lease that expires at year-end because they thought they could find a tenet willing to pay higher rent. But the slow market has changed a lot of expectations. John Hall, Goose Island chief executive, said he got the first call about negotiating a renewal last week.
“We have an agreement” covering three to five years, Hall said. “It hasn’t been signed. It’s a deal in principle. I couldn’t be happier.”
Good for the Goose
😀
Seriously though, these real estate management company landlords are so much a pain in the butt to deal with! They really think it’s all tenant begging for the space, not realizing that without these tenants their properties worth crap — 20 years ago Goose Island Clybourn location was practically ghetto, even today there’s still housing project half a mile south!
Now watch the table turns!
I took classes at the claybourn location. The atmosphere is great and its would have been a shame for them to go. I wish these property holders would take the history and nostalgia into account over the almighty dollar. This is also evidence that owning your location (if financially doable) is key.
…Not to mention that the brewery was established in that “ghetto” years ago and through hard work has helped the entire neighborhood turn around. I guess that’s what you get for taking a chance on a location and helping improve the area. Good for Goose Island! I’ll stop by for a pint when I’m in Chicago.
Too bad Siebel “bailed out” before the new deal got done!