LINCOLN SQUARE — The home brewing supply shop Brew Camp will be closed Mondays through Wednesdays until September, while co-owner Jared Saunders steps away from the business not to enjoy a summer break but to donate his liver to his ailing mother.
Saunders went public with the news on Wednesday, via a video posted to Facebook.
"I know you guys will understand," Saunders said of his need to put family before business.
His mom, he explained, has been fighting chronic ulcerative colitis for 35 years and is now in "what they call end-stage cirrhosis."
"They're going to replace her entire liver with about 75 percent to 80 percent of mine," Saunders said.
Over the course of the next four to six weeks, his own liver will regenerate to approximately 90 percent of its original size.
"It's pretty cool," Saunders said of the process.
While he recuperates during July and August, Brew Camp, 4639 N. Damen Ave., will be open Thursdays through Sundays, solely to sell home brewing supplies, in what's already been a slow year in the home brew business, Saunders said.
There will be no classes, private events or equipment rentals until Saunders returns in September, he said.
"I hope you'll give us the opportunity to keep your business," Saunders said.
He encouraged anyone who want to know more about being a live liver donor to email him at jared@brewcamp.com.
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