Elder Brewing Expands Building, Adds Live Music Acts

JOLIET, IL - It's a great time to be a craft beer lover if you live around Joliet. For instance, MyGrain Brewing Company has been a hit in Joliet's historic Union Station since opening last Fall. The Will County Brewing Company opened this month on Route 52 in Shorewood.

In November, Andrew and Melissa Polykandriotis opened Elder Brewing Company on East Cass Street in Joliet's downtown. Now four months later, Elder is ready to make another splash. It's having a grand reopening party on March 30-31.

What's the occasion? Elder Brewing is doubling in size by expanding into the building next door. The additional space, about 1,100 additional square feet, will be used for live music performances. The hall will also hold private events.

On Thursday, former New Lenox resident Dan Reddy of Reddy's Hardwood Flooring was busy refurbishing the flooring with century-old wood that came from an old U.S. lumber company. The old wooden planks came from the upstairs of the building.

"We're very excited about this space. This is a dance floor. I really want people to feel free to dance on the floor," Elder's owner said. "I love the idea of having live bands here. The local music scene in Joliet is pretty awesome, a very talented group."

Next weekend's grand re-opening for Elder Brewing also happens on the same weekend that two legendary music acts visit Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre a few blocks up the street. Twins Gunnar and Matthew Nelson play at the Rialto at 8 p.m. March 30. And legendary blues great, Buddy Guy, performs at the Rialto at 8 p.m. March 31.

And John Condron, one of Joliet's best known musicians, will be playing at Elder Brewing's grand re-opening party March 30. Condron and The Old Gang Orchestra played at the Rialto in February.

Elder plans to have at least seven beers on tap for the grand re-opening festivities, said owner Andrew Polykandriotis. Elder Brewing is next door's Vela's Restaurant & Lounge and across from JCM Uniforms.

"I'm hoping to see more people invest on Cass Street," Polykandriotis told Patch on Thursday. "Hopefully more places come in."

Polykandriotis said he's gotten lots of compliments from first-time customers about the décor in the main bar. To him, the flooring makes a huge difference.

"It's just got a good rustic ambiance," he said. "It's original. It's industrial. It's been a part of this town for 100 years."

Coinciding with the grand re-opening, Elder Brewing's new spring hours are: Thursdays and Fridays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m. It's at 218 E. Cass St.

Elder Brewing is also selling art work and music CDs of local artists including Condron.

Polykandriotis stressed he does not keep a dime of the proceeds. "All of the money goes back to them.

"Things are going very well, we're very happy with how things are going," he added.

Images via John Ferak, Joliet Patch Editor