On Jan. 6, Chicago’s Planning and Development department announced grants to local businesses. Funkytown Brewery’s application garnered them a $3.7 million boost, if they can raise matching funds for their brewery concept.
“The grant is an amazing opportunity,” Rich Bloomfield, co-founder and CEO, said. “We’re raising funds to cover the other half. We’re looking at a spring 2027 launch. But it’s all depending on when we complete the funding. The build-out process and permitting processes should be about 9 to 10 months.”
Funkytown was launched in 2018 by three friends who graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School. The brewery was a chance to combine their love of craft beer with outreach to a segment of the market that they didn’t feel had been fully tapped – Black, Latino, Asian, and women.
Bloomfield, Zach Day and Greg Williams describe their product as “more welcoming on the tongue.” Up until this point, they have been contracting with another brewery to make their offerings. Their flagship beer “Hip-Hops and R&Brew” is an award-winning pale ale with low bitterness and astringency.
“When we have our own facility, that will give us actually a lot more flexibility for a smaller batch, more community-focused drops and more collaborations as well,” Bloomfield said.
The building they plan to transform is at 1923-29 W. Lake St. in Chicago, near the newly renovated Damen Avenue Green Line stop. Plans include the brewery and also a tap room, serving food.
“We think that it needs to be complementary to drinking beer,” Bloomfield said. “It shouldn’t be like a sit down, knife and fork type thing. It should be something casual, but also be upscaled with quality ingredients, cultural connection, and keeping up with the amazing food tradition of Chicago.”
Though they graduated from high school in Oak Park, Funkytown’s owners have ties to the area.
“My partner Greg moved from the Austin neighborhood to Oak Park. So we’re familiar with the West Side. And we’ve always seen that it has so much potential, but it’s always been underutilized,” Bloomfield said. “We are aware of the changes that are coming to around the United (Center) and we want to be a part of that energy.”
The 58 grants from Chicago’s Community Development Grant and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund programs represent $90 million in neighborhood investments.
“Lasting prosperity within our communities begins with revitalization efforts that center equity, community-driven development, and each neighborhood’s unique needs,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “Through this investment, the city is doubling down on its role as a partner, empowering the businesses and organizations that are already serving our people and shaping our city’s future.”
For the owners of Funkytown Brewery combining industry and hospitality on the West Side is a dream come true.
