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.”