Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
MyGrain Brewery closed in 2023, and the space has been vacant since then, the city of Joliet noted. JOLIET, IL — More than a week after Joliet Patch broke the news surrounding the City of Joliet's intention of filling the vacancy at the MyGrain Brewing, the Joliet City Council will vote on a proposed five-year rent agreement for Casa Catrina Mexican Heritage Cuisine at Tuesday night's regular meeting. The initial five-year lease is projected to generate $464,153 in rent, and approximately $232,000 in sales taxes, food and beverages taxes, and property taxes combined for the city of Joliet. According to the city of Joliet: Rent for Year 1 would be $7,000 per month Year 2 would be $7,350 per month Year 3 would be $7,717.50 per month Year 4 would be $8,103.38 per month Year 5 would be $8,508.54 per month Additionally, this project would activate a key vacancy in the downtown area, according to Joliet's community development director Dustin Anderson. Anderson noted that Joliet issued a request for proposals to establish a family-friendly business at the old Joliet Union Station, 50 E. Jefferson Street, where the former MyGrain Brewery was located. MyGrain Brewery closed in 2023, and the city-owned space has been vacant since then. Four complete proposals were received and reviewed by a group of city staff who identified three candidates to advance to formal interviews. The staff determined that La Sociedad, Inc. doing business as Casa Catrina was the most appropriate fit, based on their personnel bandwidth, previous experience, concept, marketing plan and available capital, Anderson's memo advised. According to Anderson, the Casa Catrina ownership team includes Ángel Zamudio, Joaquín Anguiano and José Vázquez. All three individually own restaurants and other series of businesses, including Culichi Town in Stone Park, and Tequila CJ in Chicago. The Joliet City Council learned that the proposed lease includes: Initial lease term of five years. Two five-year renewal options if both parties agree. Starting rent of $7,000 with a 5 percent annual increase. The tenant will be responsible for all utility bills and property taxes. Brewing operations must begin within 12 months of the execution of the lease; otherwise, the City of Joliet reserves the right to sell or lease the equipment to a third party. "It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve a resolution authorizing a lease agreement of Union Station at 50 E. Jefferson Street with La Sociedad, Inc., DBA Casa Catrina Mexican Heritage Cuisine," Anderson's memo stated.
