The brewery and restaurant in downtown Tinley Park faced an unusually slow summer, and they need the community to rally for them.
TINLEY PARK, IL — Nearly two years after its opening and eight years from the time they purchased the Vogt Building in downtown Tinley Park, the owners of Banging Gavel Brews are facing a difficult truth: they need help.
Owners Beckie and Kyle O’Connor took to social media this week in a plea to draw customers back to the beloved business at 17400 S. Oak Park Ave. that they’ve poured their heart, time, money—all they can, really—into making a reality.
“As the seasons begin to change and we look ahead to the colder months, we’re reaching out with open hearts and a sincere ask,” they shared. “This past summer was especially hard on us. The excessive heat and heavy rains kept many from enjoying our biergarten, and unfortunately, that’s had a real impact. Running a community-focused brewpub in a historic space like the Vogt House is a privilege—but it’s not without its challenges. And right now, we’re facing one of the toughest yet.
“We need your help.”
In speaking with Patch Wednesday, Beckie O’Connor said the unanticipated lulls in what’s usually a bustling biergarten during the summer months have left them in a position where things need to pick up—and fast.
They didn’t want to struggle quietly—they’ve fought too hard for too long to bring their dream to fruition—so they turned to their social media fans and email subscribers.
“We’re just in a hard time,” O’Connor told Patch. “Going into the fall and the winter, we didn’t just want to keep our mouths shut and see what happens. We wanted to make the community aware, that we need people to come.”
It’s a moment of transparency they’re hoping will inspire people to support their passion project.
If you love what Banging Gavel Brews stands for—craft beer made with care, warm hospitality, locally sourced food, and preserving the beautiful Vogt House—we invite you to come out and show your support. Whether it’s joining us for dinner and drinks, bringing your friends for a night out, or simply spreading the word, every gesture matters.
The Banging Gavel Brews Team
O’Connor said they need people to understand how essential customer support is to a small business like theirs.
“We just want people to be aware that a restaurant takes a lot to run,” she said. “If we have two people show up, it doesn’t work. It’s not worth having staff, all of the expenses and the overhead.”
It was a vulnerable moment, sharing their request. O’Connor knew they’d receive feedback—both positive and negative—and, likely, suggestions on changes they should make. Better portion sizes, adjusted prices, domestic beer offerings. They pride themselves on unique, craft beer openings, but O’Connor said they’re open to requests, and won’t forego a change if it could make a difference.
“It was a scary moment, hitting send,” O’Connor said. “I knew we’d get negative feedback and great feedback.
“All of those things—we are listening. … We are not afraid to make adjustments. We are constantly evolving. … We really are going to take this, and see if that moves the needle.”
Partially impacting their business this summer, she said, was the opening of Harmony Square. While she commends the Village for creating the space—and says it is a positive for Tinley Park—she also feels as though they’ve been competing for guests.
“We’re paying for live music, they (Harmony Square) have live music,” O’Connor said. “Saturday nights where we used to have people coming and hanging out in the biergarten, it’s not happening. They go there, instead.
“I know people are loving it, and it’s a great thing. I just don’t know how to compete with something like that.”
As word of the business’ plight spread, supporters took to social media to show them some love.
“This place is a hidden GEM that is really not hidden at all,” one wrote. “The beer, food & workers all come together in perfect harmony.”
“We love it there, both indoors and outdoors!” another said. “Nice variety of music, tasty food and beer, and specialty drinks!”
“Banging Gavel has wonderful food and beverages with knowledgeable and caring staff in a historic and dynamic location,” another said.
The kind words aren’t lost on the team behind Banging Gavel.
“… The truth is, we can’t do this without you,” they wrote. “Every time you join us for dinner, drinks, or a night with friends at the historic Vogt House, you’re helping keep a piece of Tinley Park history alive. Plus telling others about your experience here, also makes a difference.
“Together, we can keep The Vogt House thriving. Thank you for supporting local.”
‘We want it to live on’
The opening of Banging Gavel Brews in 2023 was the culmination of six years of work to breathe new life into the historic building in downtown Tinley Park.
They purchased the building in 2017, and encountered some typical — and not-so-typical — obstacles along the way. Built in 1865, the Vogt Building came with challenges for a brewing business looking for a workable space, but also plenty of charm. As they took on the transformation, the Banging Gavel partners—the O’Connors, Jim Richert and Ed Richert—sought to preserve as much of the historical context and designs as possible. With a Brunswick-style bar, bathrooms with fixtures and decor inspired by the Italianate style from the mid 19th century, and painstakingly restored trims, wood floors, and original staircase, the owners hope their attention to detail shows.
Their hard work and vision have been rewarded, with the business awarded the 2025 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Adaptive Reuse.
“It’s amazing,” O’Connor said. “We’re very honored, we’re proud of that.”
But with the moment of sweet celebration, comes the uncertainty of what’s ahead for the business, and the building.
“This building is such a staple to the community,” O’Connor said. “If we go away, something else is going to have to take it over, and what is that going to do, what is that going to be? Is it going to sit dead, be a crumbled building? We don’t want that. We want it to live on.”
The building also offers challenges for staffing, she said, with a kitchen both inside and outside, and a bar both inside and out.
“The fluctuation of how to staff it—it’s difficult,” she said.
Banging Gavel features specials, live music, and other offers throughout the week. A full calendar of live music, upcoming events and specials can be found on their website or their social media, both of which O’Connor manages. The biergarten will remain open until Halloween, she added, and Banging Gavel is a stop on the Ale Trail Tolley—a trolley that takes riders on a circuitous route among Tinley bars, breweries—through Oct. 29. On Thursdays, it’s $5 beers in the biergarten while it’s still open. On weekends, their Blood Marys are on special.
They also offer space to host milestone events—birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, or your upcoming business holiday parties—and anyone interested can inquire via the website.
Anyone in Tinley Park and the surrounding area should also keep an eye out for Banging Gavel in an upcoming Valpak mailer at the end of September—inside you’ll find two special offers: $5 off your purchase of $30 or more, and order a flight of beer, and get one free for your guest.
O’Connor said they’re not giving up, but they need people to understand the position they’re in.
“We’re going to push,” she said. “We’re going try to make it what we can, for as long as we can. We don’t want to get to that point, where we gave it our all, but we didn’t let people know.
“We want people to help us, have that opportunity to help us, by supporting the business.”
Banging Gavel’s hours are below. The kitchen closes an hour ahead of closing time.
Banging Gavel Brews is located at 17400 Oak Park Ave., in Tinley Park.