City Approves Funding For Microbrewery On Howard

Evanston aldermen voted Monday to grant city funds to a new restaurant and brewery from two former partners at The Celtic Knot, slated to open this winter on Howard Street.

City council members voted 7-1 to issue a $200,000 construction grant to the restaurant group Peckish One LLC, which plans to open a microbrewery at 623-627 ½ Howard St. Ald. Don Wilson (4th Ward) cast the opposing vote.

“We’re very excited about this opportunity, we’re 110 percent committed to the neighborhood and the community and we really think it will work,” said Jamie Evans of Peckish One, who is opening the microbrewery along with his wife, Debbie. 

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The $200,000 construction grant for Peckish One will use tax-increment financing (TIF) dollars from the Howard/Ridge TIF district to assist with the initial rehabilitation of the space, including demolition of the existing walls, replacing old windows and frames and installing heating and cooling systems, according to city documents.

Ald. Wilson stressed that he voted against the grant not because he didn’t support the restaurant concept, but because he opposed the idea of the grant itself. 

“These seem to be great people, a great business,” he said. “It’s just a question of the amount of the allocation of the funding to me.”

In addition to the $200,000 grant, aldermen also approved a lease-to-own agreement with Peckish One for the city-owned building at 623-627 ½ Howard St. Council members approved that motion unanimously as part of the consent agenda, a list of motions voted on at once as a group, without discussion. 

The city purchased the Peckish One space and two others on Howard Street in February 2011, using tax-increment financing (TIF) dollars from the Howard/Ridge TIF district. A cocktail bar called Ward Eight opened last December at one of the other properties, 629 Howard St., while Ald. Ann Rainey has pressed city council members to consider a $1.7 million grant for a Chicago theater at the other property, 727-9 Howard St. 

The proposed deal for Peckish One is similar to the incentives that city officials granted Ward Eight, whose owners also entered into a lease-to-own agreement with the city. Council members approved up to $100,000 in tax increment financing for improvements to the building where Ward Eight is located, and the city also agreed to loan Ward Eight $130,000 toward setup costs as part of a Community Development Block Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.    

Evans said he and his wife hope to open the microbrewery in December 2013, but have not yet settled on an official name. They have already signed on a brewer, and plan to serve craft beers brewed on site as well as a small and large plates menu designed to pair with the beers.

"It’s based on fresh ingredients, farm to table fresh ingredients," Debbie Evans said. 

A fried ham hock served with salted caramel sauce and spicy balsamic vinegar would be a signature dish, while other possible menu items include tuna wellington with honey sesame dressing, smoked cheddar mac and cheese with duck confit and kimchi potato cakes with plum sauce.

Debbie Evans said the restaurant would also serve a lineup of fresh salads and charcuterie plates that let guests choose from different cheeses, olives, fruits, smoked meats and pates.

Two people spoke about the proposed microbrewery before the city council on Monday. Junad Rizki, an Evanston resident, said he was concerned that the owners did not have the full financing for construction, and wanted to make sure the city would not be on the hook if they fell short.

Jeannie Sanke, who lives in the 8th Ward near where the restaurant would be located, said she considered the new business to be part of “the revitalization of Howard Street.”

“We have the coolest neighborhood bar in the world on our street,” she said, referring to Ward Eight. “When Peckish opens…you will do so much more to revitalize this part of town.” 

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include additional details about the proposed menu.