Pizza Beer Whiskey eatery eyes downtown Sycamore spot for spring opening

SYCAMORE – A new restaurant is eyeing a space in downtown Sycamore formerly used for The Forge of Sycamore, which recently closed, and the building’s new owner hopes to open this spring.

A restaurant named Pizza Beer Whiskey, according to city of Sycamore documents, will tentatively open by May 1 in downtown Sycamore at 327 W. State St. The Forge of Sycamore shut its doors Jan. 30 after three and a half years in business. The Forge’s taproom in DeKalb, 216 N. Sixth St., remains open.

Luke Goucher, owner and managing member of Illinois Crafted, said that his hospitality group was in contact with the owners of The Forge.

“They mentioned they were ready for a change and asked if we had any interest, and we did,” Goucher said. “So we bought the building. The Forge’s concept was pizza and craft beer, and our concept is also pizza and craft beer.”

Illinois Crafted also owns Lodi Tap House in Utica, Obscurity Brewing & Craft Mead in Elburn and Soul Loco Artisan Roasters & Coffee Shop in Maple Park.

Goucher said that the interior of the restaurant will be upgraded.

“The kitchen will double in size, we’ll add some ambiance and also focus on delivery,” he said. “We want the feel to be comfortable for hanging out, for families to date nights and everything in between. We’ll be giving the restaurant a face lift, just making it ours.”

The restaurant will sell Detroit and New York-style pizzas, craft beer from all over the country with a new draft system, an extensive whiskey program and domestic staples on tap and in cans.

The city of Sycamore held a liquor commission hearing Thursday at the city center downtown to approve a liquor license for Pizza, Beer, Whiskey LLC. Mayor Steve Braser is the city’s liquor commissioner. Other Sycamore businesses which applied for a liquor permit and had hearings that day included 7-Eleven at 404 W. State St., Northern Axeposure Axe Throwing at 1170 DeKalb Ave., and The Dirty Bird Chicken Joint at 630 Plaza Drive.

“Our menu will have everything from beer nuggets to a whipped feta with hot honey appetizer dish, salads, pizzas and ‘pizzaninis.’”

Goucher described a ‘pizzanini’ as a sandwich on homemade pizza crust that is baked in a wood-fired oven.

“We’re looking forward to becoming part of Sycamore’s downtown,” Goucher said. “We hope to add to the flair and effect of downtown Sycamore being a hip spot people want to go to.”

The restaurant retained any of The Forge’s staff that wished to continue on, with staff training at Obscurity Brewing in Elburn.

Pizza Beer Whiskey is hiring all positions for the new restaurant, including kitchen staff and servers. For more information about applying to work at the restaurant, email luke@illinoisrafted.com.