St. Nicholas brewpub gets necessary city licenses; opening expected in July

The Chester City Council opened the doors allowing the city's first brewpub to open later this year.

The council Monday night unanimously approved revisions to the liquor ordinance that will allow DuQuoin-based St. Nicholas Brewing Co. to open a new location at the 185-year-old Landmark on Ferry Street in Chester. The new business will be called St. Nicholas Landmark.

Tom Welge, a part owner of St. Nicholas Landmark, told the council that electrical work and plumbing still need to be done at the pub, which he said is projected to open in July.

The changes in the liquor ordinance will allow customers to purchase beers and ales on site in 28-ounce bottles or "growlers" that can be taken home.

Mayor Tom Page said he and the rest of the community eagerly await the opening.

Abby Ancell, general manager of St. Nicholas Brewing Co. told the Chester Rotary Club last week that the Landmark building, constructed in 1829 overlooking the Mississippi River, had throughout history housed a variety of businesses and had been a successful bar and restaurant for decades. The most recent owners had closed several years ago. The property was purchased in 2017 by the Mississippi Landmark Corp., a local enterprise.

Ancell talked about the extensive rehabbing and repair work that has been done on the nearly 185-year-old, three-story building during recent months, all the while taking great measures to maintain the antiquity and historic value of the property.

The St. Nicholas Landmark will feature unique pub type food for lunch and dinner, as well as entrees such as steaks and seafood. A catering menu is also expected to be available. All the popular craft beers brewed at the DuQuoin brewery will be available, as well as a fully stocked bar.

The brewpub will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to midnight. The business will be open Sundays at 11 a.m. with a closing time yet to be determined. They will be closed on Mondays.

Knowing that the second story of the building has always been popular for diners because of the view of the Mississippi River, Ancell said that diners will again have the upstairs option for dining. A new dumbwaiter has been installed to ensure quality service.

Over time, the business is expected to need approximately 40 employees.

"We are so excited to be opening in Chester, at this popular and historic site," Ancell said.