Revolution Brewing will permanently close its brewpub in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood on December 14, the brewery announced on Saturday.
The location opened nearly 15 years ago and was Revolution’s first space. However, growing competition from other breweries and the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately depressed business.
“Sharing this news brings knots to our bellies and tears to our eyes, but we know that 15 years is also a good run for a restaurant and we are thankful for all the great moments along the way,” the company wrote in the announcement on social media.
“Our business slowed as that massive wave of craft beer growth naturally crested a few years ago, but it was really the pandemic that dealt the biggest blow to our brewpub operations,” the company continued. “The pub never came close to recovering the energy and customer traffic from its heyday, and worsening operating losses the last few years gives us no choice but to wind down our business at this location.”
Revolution founder Josh Deth told Brewbound that 20 full-time and 24 part-time employees will be affected by the closure.
“Everyone is getting severance and we are extending benefits for our full-time staff on our plans,” he wrote.
The company added in social media posts: “It pains us to have to say goodbye to so many hard-working members of our crew, but we know the experience and friendships we all share will last a lifetime.”
Revolution owns the property, and Deth said the plan is to put it up for sale in the new year. Patrons will have more than a month to make a final visit.
“The brewpub will be open five more weeks for you to get all nostalgic over some cheese curds, smash burgers and frothy pints,” the company wrote. “We hope to see some familiar faces come raise a glass to a 15-year run on Milwaukee Avenue. Our deepest thanks to everyone who stopped in over the years, it was a pleasure to serve you.”
Revolution will now focus on operations at its production brewery and taproom on Kedzie Avenue. After leasing the space for several years, the company bought the building in March 2022.
“We’re making investments at that location to retain jobs, increase our sustainability and keep our overall business strong, even in the face of increased competition for craft brewers,” the company wrote.
Revolution Brewing was the 39th largest Brewers Association-defined craft brewery by volume with 63,970 barrels of beer, an -8% decline year-over-year. The company’s production has fluctuated between growth and decline since its peak years of output in 2017, 2018 and 2019 of 82,531, 85,403 and 81,003 barrels of beer, respectively.
In 2023, the company held a 0.27% share of the BA-defined craft beer market.