CHICAGO — The storied Chicago Brauhaus could make a return in Lincoln Square.
Brauhaus closed its location at 4732 N. Lincoln Ave. in December 2017 — but the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center is now raising $50,000 on GoFundMe for a remodel. If the group meets its goal, it would use remnants of Brauhaus’ interior to recreate the restaurant’s famous red bar on the second floor of its center around the corner from the original spot.
The room, which would be dubbed the Brauhaus Room, would have the bar and “architectural elements” of the restaurant, including the restaurant’s original front doors and chandeliers, according to a news release. Fans would be able to come in for beer and pretzels at Brauhaus’ bar.
DANK Haus — which is dedicated to promoting German American culture — is working on the project because it wants to preserve the legacy of Harry and Guenther Kempf, who owned Brauhaus.
Brauhaus served Chicago’s German American community for 52 years before its closure. Its former location is being turned into a medical office. DANK Haus’ center is nearby at 4740 N. Western Ave.
The room that would be remodeled into the Brauhaus Room is “in great need of repair” and is currently used for meetings by local officials, Boy Scouts and other groups, according to DANK Haus.
“Restoring this quintessential Lincoln Square establishment is truly an exciting opportunity for the DANK Haus to pay homage to the German American experience in Chicago,” said Monica Jirak, DANK Haus executive director, in a news relesase. “It will preserve the legacy of the Kempfs, as well as provide a more accessible and inviting environment to the thousands of guests and community members who already use it.”
The fundraiser started last week and has so far raised $280. The deadline for the fundraiser is June 30.
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