Microbrewery eyes former Schmid store in Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN – The former Schmid Gifts and More store in downtown Glen Ellyn may soon house a microbrewery and restaurant.

Jon With, who owns Gammon Coach House in Batavia, wants to open a microbrewery and restaurant in the former 6,200-square-foot store at 486 Pennsylvania Ave. Schmid was a pharmacy and then a gift store before it closed in 2011 after a 44-year history in the village.

As proposed, the restaurant would revolve around a farm-to-table concept, with the food being locally sourced as much as possible.

With said he has been eyeing the building for a few years. He would be the managing partner of the new restaurant.

"It was one of those things where the building became available," With said. "A lot of things came together for it to be the right time and space for us."

With said he hopes to close on the property in April and open the microbrewery and restaurant by mid-September. He sees the new venture as being a good complement to the Gammon Coach House.

"It just kind of fits with what I do," With said. "I wanted to open a brewery, and this seemed like a great location and a great community. I think they will support it very well."

Glen Ellyn Economic Development Coordinator Meredith Hannah said she thought a microbrewery and restaurant was a good fit for the building. Hannah was working for the city of Batavia when Gammon Coach House opened in 2011.

"He runs a great business," Hannah said. "It's really encouraging that we're seeing experienced restaurateurs looking to Glen Ellyn to expand."