RAVENSWOOD — Band of Bohemia, a culinary brewhouse concept from a pair of Alinea veterans, immediately became one of the most eagerly awaited additions to the Ravenswood/Lawrence avenue corridors when it was announced in 2013.
The course of new business never did run smooth — an anticipated spring 2014 opening date came and went — but owners Craig Sindelar and Michael Carroll are now on track to bring their vision for a restaurant/brewery to life by summer 2015, they say.
Patty Wetli says don't expect to walk in and watch the Bears, you won't find any TVs when it opens:
The business partners shared blueprints on Monday with Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) during a tour of their planned location, located at 4710 N. Ravenswood Ave. in the shadow of the newly opened Mariano's and a stone's throw from Metra's new Ravenswood station.
"Tomorrow, the permits are being submitted," said investor David Brown. "The next time it's warm outside in Chicago, people could be enjoying a beer here."
Formerly a cookie factory and currently used for storage, the cavernous 6,000-square-foot space is set for a major transformation in the coming months.
The 20-foot-high wood plank ceilings and cement floor will remain to "leave a bit of an industrial feel," according to Sindelar. But the wide-open area will gradually be filled in with five brewing tanks, seating for 100 customers, an open kitchen and a coffee bar that will be open in the morning to capture Metra commuters, he said.
One thing patrons won't find — televisions.
"This is not a sports bar," said Sindelar.
Band of Bohemia beers (and sodas) will be available in-house only and the cuisine aims to be the best in the neighborhood, he said.
"It will be elevated food," said Sindelar, head sommelier at Alinea restaurant, who offered Pilsen's Nightwood as a point of reference.
"This is a big deal for the community. This is the biggest thing on Lawrence," said Pawar, who added that he views Band of Bohemia as a linchpin in his strategy to revitalize retail along the avenue.
"It's a signal to other people to invest," he said.
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