Hofbräuhaus gets liquor license it needs to sell its namesake product

The Hofbräuhaus developers gained a necessary step to open their restaurant and brewery when the Belleville City Council on Monday unanimously approved their request for a liquor license.

Ron O’Connor, spokesman for the developers, declined to comment on details of the project but said the Hofbräuhaus is expected to open late this fall.

Construction began in 2015 on the site off Illinois 15 across from the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Chuck Keller, of Effingham, and his son, Chane Keller, had initially hoped to open the restaurant in June 2016.

Work on the $12 million restaurant and brewery ramped up this summer and into the early fall.

Some brewing equipment recently was installed, a large retaining wall was erected and curbs have been built for the parking lot.

In response to a question from Ward 2 Alderman Mike Buettner about when the Hofbräuhaus will open, Mayor Mark Eckert said he has not been given an exact date but that the Kellers are planning to get it open “soon.”

Eckert also told the council “everything’s on track” and that the local liquor permit is needed as part of complying with state and federal regulations for brewers.

To pave the way for development in the area, the City Council agreed to spend more than $2 million to extend sewer lines to the site and offer the Kellers $32.36 million in tax incentives based on city tax revenue generated once businesses are open.

Other businesses have been announced for the site but none of them have opened. These include a Hyatt Place hotel, a Jack Flash convenience store, other restaurants and a soccer park.

In other business

The renovation of City Hall is nearing completion and the City Council met there Monday night for the first time since last year. The work originally was expected to be finished early this year.

Residents who have been paying their trash and sewer bills at 512 W. Main St. will be able to pay their bills at City Hall beginning Monday, Oct. 9.

Also, an open house of the renovated City Hall is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21.

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Hofbräuhaus gets liquor license it needs to sell its namesake product."