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Motor Row Brewing Opens Next Month in South Loop

By Mauricio Peña | December 19, 2014 7:39am | Updated on December 19, 2014 2:59pm
 The brewery is setting up shop in the historic Federal Motor Car Co. showroom.
Motor Row Brewing
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CHICAGO — After approaching family and friends with the idea of opening a brewery several years ago, brewmaster Frank Lassandrello is finally ready to open Motor Row Brewing in the South Loop next month.

"It's been a long, arduous process," Lassandrello said. "It's nice to see it come to fruition after all the energy and hard work that's gone into the project."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) joined investors of Motor Row Brewing for the ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon.

"The good news is we have a new brewery in the city of Chicago," Mayor Emanuel said.
"Motor Row Brewing brings the total to 22 breweries in the city. This is part of the mission to create jobs and opportunities in Motor Row, and in the city of Chicago."

Dowell said the construction of the new CTA Green Line station on Cermak Road will provide improved access to the brewery and other surrounding businesses in South Loop.

Motor Row Brewing will open to the public on the historic Motor Row on Jan. 14. The former Federal Motor Car Co. showroom was redeveloped as part of a $2.7 million project to convert the former showroom into a brewery.

The 8,700-square-foot facility at 2337 S. Michigan Ave. will include brewing operations, distribution space and a full taproom that will open in January.

 

Owner Robert Lassandrello was excited to open the brewery in the Motor Row District. “Our slogan is “Craft Beer for the City that Works” and we believe that its time that the South Side of Chicago was represented by a craft brewery that fits with its history and work ethic."

Robert Lassandrello partnered with the City of Chicago for the venture in an effort to revitalize the Motor Row District. In February 2013, the City approved the use of more than $600,000 in Tax Increment Financing money to repair the interior and exterior walls of the 1910 building.

"I think [Motor Row Brewing] will be good for the neighborhood," Frank Lassandrello added. "It's also going to be a great place for people to come hangout."

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