DOWNERS GROVE – Back in college, Eric Schmidt worked at a few campus bars to earn a little extra cash, and after he left the University of Illinois, he thought those days were behind him, too.

It’s been years, and Schmidt is now married to his college sweetheart, Carrie, and a father to two young children. He’s held careers as a sports journalist and worked in nonprofit, and he even co-hosts a podcast called The FadeAway with former Illini basketball player Deon Thomas. And yet, somehow, Schmidt found himself right where he started.

Six weeks ago, Eric and Carrie opened Orange & Brew Bottle Shop and Tap Room in downtown Downers Grove. Nearly a year in the making, the new shop is located on Burlington Avenue and offers a wide selection of craft beers and plenty of tables fit for fun hangouts with friends and family.

In a corner of his store, there's a stack of board games, and instead of BYOB, customers are welcome to bring in their favorite food to support other eateries in town.

“I don’t want to dictate what you eat with our beer because it changes so much,” Eric Schmidt said of his rotating tap. “You'll never be able to keep up with that even if I wanted to do some type a pairing menu.”

A first-time entrepreneur, Schmidt shared more of his experiences.

“I know beer,” he said. “I know hospitality. I know communications, social media. I don’t know anything about books and what does it take to run a business day to day.”

So, he sought some help from the College of DuPage’s Small Business Development Center.

He and his wife needed a business plan, and they had to be up to speed about Illinois laws on alcohol licenses. Schmidt noted that establishments like his are still a new concept here in the Midwest, and of course, there’s always uncertainty in starting and investing in a business.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s been scary, but no risk, no reward.”

But Eric and Carrie were confident in choosing Downers Grove to open Orange & Brew. The couple from Lemont felt like the Downers Grove community, as well as area neighborhoods, would embrace their family-oriented environment and feel at home.

In fact, one priority at Orange & Brew is to show support for the breweries across the Chicagoland like Alter Brewing Company in Downers Grove, Afterthought Brewing Company in Lombard and Pollyanna Brewing Company in Lemont. Orange & Brew is also keen on hosting tastings, meet-the-brewer events and other gatherings to bring people together.

And though he isn’t quick to label his spot “Illini-centric,” he said it’s hard not give a little tribute to the place where it all started. The orange and blue color scheme printed on his logo and banner, as well as the complimenting name, is an identifiable draw for some of his customers. Otherwise, he’s open to chat about the good ol’ days.

“I have no idea what to expect as far as who’s coming in, what the market would be like here,” he said. “The response from Downers has been overwhelmingly great.”