Brewery, Restaurant Coming To Former Plainfield Fire Station

PLAINFIELD, IL — It's been nearly a decade since a new Station One replaced the old fire station in downtown Plainfield, and almost seven years since the Plainfield Fire Protection District headquarters moved to 135th Street. After a long wait, two new businesses are preparing to move into the recently renovated building at 15025 S. Des Plaines St.

Brewer Craig Brazeau said Garage Band Brewing will open in the location by fall or winter of this year, bringing a craft brewery to the downtown area.

Brazeau, who will run the business with his wife, Lydia, and assistant brewer Chris Fleming, said the business will fulfill a dream he's had since he started brewing over 20 years ago.

"It's always been a dream of mine to have a brewery," said Brazeau, a Plainfield resident who also wanted to find a location close to home.

Brazeau said he became interested in the former fire station last fall. Initially, Garage Band was planning on a late summer grand opening, a date that's been pushed back as the brewery waits for its equipment to arrive so Brazeau can apply for his brewer's certificate from the state. Brazeau said Garage Band is already in the process of apply for its liquor license from the Village of Plainfield.

Garage Band will be a seven-barrel brewery to start, focusing on ales with the possibility of expanding into sours and other varieties as time goes on, he said.

The brewery's name comes from Brazeau's passion for music.

"We've very heavy into music," said Brazeau, who previously played in a band.

In addition to craft brews, Brazeau said Garage Band will also have live music.

For those looking to grab a bite to eat with their beer, a barbecue restaurant — Station One Smokehouse — is also set to open in the building.

"It's a great combination," according to Brazeau, who said the two businesses are not affiliated and didn't initially plan to share a location.

"It just happened that way," Brazeau said.

• Plainfield's Old Fire Station Sells to Station One LLC
• Former Plainfield Fire Station To Become Commercial, Residential Development

According to its Facebook page, Station One Smokehouse will open this summer and is helmed by Brad Hudetz, executive chef of Green Street Smoked Meats in Chicago. The restaurant's Facebook page promises a "mouthwatering menu, full bar, family-friendly" eatery.

Follow the progress as Garage Band Brewing prepares to open on the business' Facebook page.

Logo courtesy of Garage Band Brewing