Latest news with #JourneymanDistillery
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buttermilk seeking city OK to sell specially-branded bourbon at its Naperville restaurant
Buttermilk wants to sell specially-branded bourbon at its Naperville restaurant but needs city approval for a variance and a code amendment before it can proceed, city staff say. Owner Katie Kouvelis took the first step last week when she broached the concept at a meeting of the Naperville Liquor Commission. 'I love bourbon, I love cocktails, and I'd just like to incorporate cocktails in the restaurant,' Kouvelis said in an interview this week. Once Buttermilk can officially sell the specialty spirit, she'd like to start offering a 'featured cocktail' with the liquor. Kouvelis has been thinking about adding specially-branded liquor to the restaurant's repertoire since 2021, she said. The product is the result of a partnership between Buttermilk and Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, she said. The liquor itself is Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey, which will be sold in glass bottles etched with the name 'Buttermilk.' When the opportunity to partner with Journeyman arose, Kouvelis traveled to Three Oaks, took a private tour of the distillery and sampled the spirits they produce, she said. Out of those, 'you pick out which one you like and which one you think tastes the best, and then that's your barrel,' Kouvelis said. 'They bottle it up for you, and they put your label etched on the side,' she said. 'So it's your own private barrel.' Buttermilk took home 19 cases with six bottles apiece, Kouvelis said. Ultimately, the hope is to sell the bourbon at not only Buttermilk's Naperville location at 1715 Freedom Drive, but at all of its cafés. That includes Buttermilk's original location in Geneva, which opened in 2015, as well as a Vernon Hills location that opened in 2020 and a soon-to-open café in Downers Grove. Buttermilk has already started to sell the etched bottles in Vernon Hills, according to Kouvelis. A liquor license was granted by the Vernon Hills Liquor Control Commission in December, Vernon Hills Community Development Director Andrew Jennings confirmed in an email Monday. In Naperville, Buttermilk will have to go win the approval of both the Liquor Commission and the Naperville City Council for the Class S1 'Specialty Food and Liquor Shop' license it requires. That license allows for the retail sale of craft beer, wine, craft distilled whiskey or small batched whiskey in its original package for off-site consumption, code states. Buttermilk will need a text amendment to city code increasing the number of available S1 licenses, currently capped at one. The existing license is held by Tasting deVine Cellars in downtown Naperville, according to city staff. They also need a variance in the on-premise requirements stipulated in an S1 license, which state that 'not less than 40% of the premises shall be designated for the sale of specialty foods.' While Buttermilk pursues approvals, Kouvelis is already thinking about where the restaurant can go from here. 'I actually had dinner with my liquor reps (last week), and I was like, so what's next? What can we do?' said Kouvelis, who is also considering nonalcoholic products. 'We're hoping to get into a lot of retail, not just with liquor,' she said. They may branch out into selling 'swag,' she said, and could 'get into manufacturing as well.' As they head into their 10th anniversary, 'we're going to start pushing franchising and hopefully (start) expanding outside the Midwest,' Kouvelis said. tkenny@
Chicago Tribune
11-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Buttermilk seeking city OK to sell specially-branded bourbon at its Naperville restaurant
Buttermilk wants to sell specially-branded bourbon at its Naperville restaurant but needs city approval for a variance and a code amendment before it can proceed, city staff say. Owner Katie Kouvelis took the first step last week when she broached the concept at a meeting of the Naperville Liquor Commission. 'I love bourbon, I love cocktails, and I'd just like to incorporate cocktails in the restaurant,' Kouvelis said in an interview this week. Once Buttermilk can officially sell the specialty spirit, she'd like to start offering a 'featured cocktail' with the liquor. Kouvelis has been thinking about adding specially-branded liquor to the restaurant's repertoire since 2021, she said. The product is the result of a partnership between Buttermilk and Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, she said. The liquor itself is Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey, which will be sold in glass bottles etched with the name 'Buttermilk.' When the opportunity to partner with Journeyman arose, Kouvelis traveled to Three Oaks, took a private tour of the distillery and sampled the spirits they produce, she said. Out of those, 'you pick out which one you like and which one you think tastes the best, and then that's your barrel,' Kouvelis said. 'They bottle it up for you, and they put your label etched on the side,' she said. 'So it's your own private barrel.' Buttermilk took home 19 cases with six bottles apiece, Kouvelis said. Ultimately, the hope is to sell the bourbon at not only Buttermilk's Naperville location at 1715 Freedom Drive, but at all of its cafés. That includes Buttermilk's original location in Geneva, which opened in 2015, as well as a Vernon Hills location that opened in 2020 and a soon-to-open café in Downers Grove. Buttermilk has already started to sell the etched bottles in Vernon Hills, according to Kouvelis. A liquor license was granted by the Vernon Hills Liquor Control Commission in December, Vernon Hills Community Development Director Andrew Jennings confirmed in an email Monday. In Naperville, Buttermilk will have to go win the approval of both the Liquor Commission and the Naperville City Council for the Class S1 'Specialty Food and Liquor Shop' license it requires. That license allows for the retail sale of craft beer, wine, craft distilled whiskey or small batched whiskey in its original package for off-site consumption, code states. Buttermilk will need a text amendment to city code increasing the number of available S1 licenses, currently capped at one. The existing license is held by Tasting deVine Cellars in downtown Naperville, according to city staff. They also need a variance in the on-premise requirements stipulated in an S1 license, which state that 'not less than 40% of the premises shall be designated for the sale of specialty foods.' While Buttermilk pursues approvals, Kouvelis is already thinking about where the restaurant can go from here. 'I actually had dinner with my liquor reps (last week), and I was like, so what's next? What can we do?' said Kouvelis, who is also considering nonalcoholic products. 'We're hoping to get into a lot of retail, not just with liquor,' she said. They may branch out into selling 'swag,' she said, and could 'get into manufacturing as well.' As they head into their 10th anniversary, 'we're going to start pushing franchising and hopefully (start) expanding outside the Midwest,' Kouvelis said.
Chicago Tribune
28-01-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas pushes ‘innovation' as key theme for city 2025 goals
Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas urged 'innovation with a proactive approach' as key qualities embraced by the growth to assure success during his State of the City address earlier this month before a gathering of more than 400 luncheon guests hosted by the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce at the Porter County Expo Center. 'The state of our city is strong and the state of our union in Valparaiso is even stronger,' said Costas, 67, beginning the second year of his fifth term as Valparaiso mayor. 'In 2024, it was a year of listening and coming together,' Costas said during the Jan. 15 address. 'When I stood before you a year ago, we had just sworn in a new City Council. For the first time in 20 years, the mayor's office and the city council were bipartisan. Many eyes were upon us. And some predicted that we would get ready to rumble. Instead of chaos, 2024 saw cooperation and progress in our city.' Costas noted the city continues to retain the 'AA/Stable' bond rating, placing Valparaiso among the top 20 communities in Indiana and 'saving citizens thousands of dollars in lower interest rates.' He also cited the city's growing $4.9 million rainy day fund. He said residents were pleased with the nearly $9 million devoted to the city's ambitious roadways repaving project and also the $76 million package of capital improvements, including water system improvements, all key 'proactive measures' for cost-saving. 'These are projects that qualified for low-interest financing through the state of Indiana, saving ratepayers nearly $10 million in interest payments,' he said. 'At the same time, the city also opened two new facilities in 2024 and our chance to highlight the new transit center located in the Journeyman Distillery building, and the Lincoln Highway Garage, the latter which adds 360 parking spots to our downtown, serving both the public, and soon, the new residents of The Linc apartments. 'These projects add vitality to our city, meeting goals for transit, parking and housing that have long been part of our master plan.' Costas noted travelers along U.S. 30 now have new reminders that beckon visitors to the city. 'We've added signage and landscaping along U.S. 30 to highlight that Valparaiso is more than a place to pass through, but a highly desirable destination,' Costas said. Costas said Valparaiso Parks landscapes are among 'innovations' that draw residents to visit from other communities. 'I encourage everyone to check out the enhancements at Rogers Lakewood where you'll see added paving, lighting, kayak rentals and trails,' Costas said. 'And we're so excited to transition the exclusive operations of our Memorial Opera House to the city of Valparaiso and Valpo Parks, starting this year. Adding our expertise and resources in events to this newly renovated jewel promises to be a magical combination. We look forward to growing a creative arts district in our downtown, centered around the beloved and historic opera house. 'These accomplishments light us up as the city of Valparaiso. But what we see ahead is even brighter. As I look around the room at this gathering, each year I'm struck by the collective talent and energy. It's easy to be optimistic in the midst of so many positive leaders and caring residents.'
