Elmhurst Brewpub Sees 'Huge Impact' From Pandemic

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst's only brewpub, Elmhurst Brewing Co., was a little more than 2 years old when it was forced, along with all other Illinois restaurants, to shut down indoor dining in March.

Such dining resumed over the summer, but was again mandated closed in DuPage County last month as the pandemic worsened.

Elmhurst Brewing co-owner Frazer Donaldson said that as of Nov. 1, gross sales were down 20 percent from the year before.

The restaurant has 42 employees, all of whom are hourly. The pandemic, Donaldson said, has forced the owners to cut employees' shifts.

"It's been a huge impact," he said in an interview. "We haven't let anyone go, but some veteran servers who know our beer well have gone down from five shifts to three shifts."

As a result, Elmhurst Brewing, 171 N. Addison Ave., is trying to bring in more customers. About 2½ weeks ago, it set up a 30-foot-by-60-foot tent with a high ceiling. The tent, with 74 seats, has been approved by the Elmhurst Fire Department, Donaldson said.

If the restaurant can fill all the seats, especially during the weekends, it would be able to offer employees more shifts, Donaldson said.

Curbside pickup and delivery are also available for customers.

Donaldson owns the business with Pete Dolan. They are Elmhurst residents.