Southwest IL town’s project will include a new location for popular St. Louis brewpub

Highland residents will soon have a new watering hole in town.

The city is adding a new Schlafly Brewpub on the town square as part of an economic development agreement with TJO Holdings.

Highland is acquiring two parcels of land that it plans to develop into park space adjacent to the town square, which houses festivals and events year-round. They secured the space for a purchase price of $10.

TJO Holdings, based in Glendale, Missouri, purchased the former bank property and its adjacent parcels of land for the restaurant. However, the soil study showed that the foundation under the empty parcels was not stable enough for a large building to be constructed on it, according to a memo from Breann Speraneo, director of community development. An outdoor gathering space is the most appropriate use of the property, she wrote.

So TJO Holdings is selling the empty parcels back to the city.

“We are taking possession of the adjoining lots that, according to soil samples, are not ideal for construction, and turning them into a public park,” said interim city manager Chris Conrad.

Not all the empty land will become a park. TJO Holdings is leasing a 1200-square-foot portion of the city’s land for an outdoor dining and bar service area, which Speraneo said could not have been subdivided for sale.

Speraneo said TJO Holdings was eager to work with them to bring this project to Highland.

“They’re all about bringing communities together,” she said.

So what’s going into the new park space? Restrooms, for one. The current facilities available for the outdoor events that take place on the town square are located on leased property and consist of single-user male/female restaurants hidden behind the empty bank building, Conrad said.

“There really isn’t a good way to construct facilities on the square itself without taking away from the openness of the area, so this will be a nice addition to the square park and the various events we host there, from the PBJ festivals, band concerts and car shows, all of which we expect will be very well attended when we move beyond the pandemic,” Conrad said.

Additional amenities

Other new amenities will include a bocce ball court, bag toss, and seating areas, including checker-top game tables, according to Speraneo. There will be a patio as well, and sidewalks, landscaping and lighting elements added.

Speraneo said the new space will be “a natural extension of the square.”

“If we’ve learned anything during COVID-19, it’s that our citizens are in need of outdoor gathering spaces that lend themselves to safe socialization, and we think this area will be a great response to this need,” Speraneo said. “We hope that this space will serve as a destination in itself, and also become an integral part of the city’s many festivals on the square.”

Speraneo said TJO Holdings hopes to have the Schlafly Brewpub open this summer.