“Argus Brewery, which quietly stopped operating on Chicago’s Far South Side in late March, is available on the people’s internet marketplace for $2.5 million. Included in sale: the 9,700-square-foot (Designated Chicago Landmark) building in the Roseland neighborhood, brewing equipment, furniture, electronics, a delivery van and Argus’ intellectual property.
“The building was originally home to a horse stable for the Schlitz beer company, a relic of when beer ‘was distributed by horse drawn wagons and sold in lard-lined buckets in one of the nation’s first planned industrial communities,’ according to the posting. Also included: ‘A large freight elevator with original motor, designed by Nikola Tesla, (that) still works!’”
“Brewery founder Bob Jensen wasn’t aware of the posting until Tuesday; he said his real estate agent must have made the listing. He has been trying to sell the brewery since April. Jensen said he has had interest from two current breweries in the Chicago area and three different people interested in getting into the beer business.
“Jensen bought the building as an investment before launching Argus in 2009. The brewery struggled with quality and consistency for several years before revamping its staff and approach and ultimately winning medals at highly regarded beer competitions.
“In April, word emerged that Jensen had shuttered the brewery, something he has said he was considering for months due to slow sales and a failure to gain a foothold in one of the nation’s most competitive beer markets. The coronavirus pandemic pushed him to do it.” (Noel, 6/9/20)
Read the full story at Chicago Tribune
A Chicago brewery is available for $2.5 million — on Craigslist, Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune, 6/9/20
