LP_062019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4 | June 20, 2019 | the lockport legend news lockportlegend.com Lockport father and son start craft beer company Alex Ivanisevic Assistant Editor One out of retirement and the other chasing a dream, Lockport fatherand-son duo John and Claudia Gamache, CPCU 815-834-2700 16614 W. 159th St., #302 Lockport www.allstateagencies.com/ cgamache3 John Kure have worked as a team to establish Kure’s Craft Beverage Company. Both are Lockport Township High School alumni, the elder graduated in 1978 and his son Bundle up for savings Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co. © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co. graduated in 2005, and after retiring from his deputy chief position with the Lockport Township Fire Protection District in August of 2015, John the elder was approached by his son with a business venture. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in 2009, John moved to Colorado “and it was then that I got into the craft beer world with the dream of starting a brewery one day and my father and I discussed the possibility of starting a craft brewery out here,” he said. Once he gained some experience in the craft beer industry, he began making his own non-alcoholic ginger beer at home. His father said, “when we first started, I lived out Saturday, June 22nd, 10am-5pm & Sunday, June 23rd, 12-5pm 261546 in Colorado with my son for three months to get everything set up and every other month I was going out to Colorado, now about every three months I go out there,” adding, “I handle the Illinois territory and I visit places from Springfield all the way up to Rockford to downtown Chicago as a representative for our company.” The younger John observed that many ginger beers on the market were lacking natural and real ingredients, “so we started making our ginger beer at home [in Fort Collins, Colorado] with organic ginger out of Peru and cane sugar as well,” he said, adding that creating ginger beer was the niche market he dreamed of finding in the craft beer industry. From the beginning, the company was a joint investment and now they have an establishment where they make the ginger beer in Loveland, Colorado. “We incorporated the business in December 2016 and then got our building in March of 2017 and we started selling ginger beer in October of 2017,” the younger said about the company. “We started with distribution in Colorado and then we developed a partnership with Heartland Beverage in Plainfield, Illinois, and they are our distributor in Illinois - we launched the Illinois market about a year ago in July,” he said. He credits growing up with an entrepreneurial family for giving him the spirit to take on starting his own business. He said that Kure’s Ginger Beer can now be found in certain bars, restaurants and locally owned liquor stores and grocery stores. John and John Kure at their Colorado distributor’s tasting room called Crooked Stave. Photo Submitted Where Kure’s Ginger Beer can be bought is shown on kuresgingerbeer. com. The ginger beer can sports a distinct design of a golden retriever, modeled after the Kure’s family dog, Bailey. “I think the product is really going to take off, everybody who tries our ginger beer really likes it,” John’s father said. “We have trademarked the name ‘Colorado Mule,’ and we are hoping to soon have that on the market in Colorado; the Colorado market is doing really great and right now the Illinois market is doing pretty well,” he excitedly said. Overall, the elder John does not regret coming out of retirement for this and said, “It is fun doing this with my son, and something I never did before was sales, having been in the fire service here, but I am really enjoying it all, talking to people and promoting our product,” he said. He never imagined going into the craft beer industry, but is happy about it and looks forward to the future of Kure’s Craft Beer Company with his son and business partner.
lockportlegend.com news the lockport legend | June 20, 2019 | 5 Old Canal Days brings family, fun and history to the streets of Lockport Laurie Fanelli Freelance Reporter Old Canal Days attendees line up for some classic carnival food on Friday night. Rides, shopping, entertainment, artwork, historic re-enactments and more had families flocking to Downtown Lockport on June 13-16 for the Old Canal Days Festival and Craft Show. After the carnival saw a successful opening night on Thursday, the Friday festivities offered all the summer traditions that families enjoy at the annual event, including the ever-popular parade that was back on State Street following last year’s construction-driven re-route . “It’s good to have the parade go through the old downtown. I am excited that the parade is back on State Street because it gives everybody an opportunity to see all the planters, benches and everything,” said Mayor Steve Streit, noting that local businesses are also a State Street highlight. Annette Parker, executive director of the Lockport Chamber of Commerce, also was excited that the parade returned to State Street and that the lineup featured new additions along with businesses and organizations that have participated for years. “People are excited,” Parker said. “It’s one of the first festivals of the year. People have been waiting to get outside, so this is a great place to do it.” The parade began with the Lockport Police Department and Lockport Township Fire Protection District before the City of Lockport, White Oak Library District and Lockport Township Highway Department followed. The Harvey Blue Angels, NWCSRA, Radioactive Rollers, HellsGate Haunted House, Michelle Kerfin State Farm, Homer Tree Service, Lupine Montessori School, Lockport Township High School’s Marching Band and more also participated in the parade. Many local businesses and organizations also supported Old Canal Days as sponsors, including Du- Page Medical Group, Citgo, Car Care Towing and St. John Episcopal Church. Illinois Miss Amazing, a chapter of the nonprofit Miss Amazing, Inc., which provides opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to build confidence in a supportive environment, was among this year’s parade participants. Miss Amazing Advancement Coordinator Erin Mc- Carthy explained, “Miss Amazing was started in 2007 by a 13-year-old that was a part of the pageant circuit, and she decided that she wanted to provide a platform for girls and women with special needs to gain some of the skills that she was gaining through pageants.” Lockport 16-year-old Mia Santos — one of this year’s Miss Amazing Queens, along with Helen Klipfel, of Homewood – said the program is so much fun that she would like to start her own pageant one day. “I like getting my hair done and my makeup done and wearing my favorite gowns. I also like showing my talents,” Santos said. “I want to organize my own pageant because I like to see the girls’ gowns and the stage. It’s really amazing.” Lockport Mayor Steve Streit and his wife, Wendy, pass out candy in the Old Canal Days Parade. Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media Landon Currie (left), of Joliet, and Vince Calzaretta, of Lockport, ride the Cliff Hanger at the Old Canal Days Carnival. Twelve-year-old Lockport resident Jimmy Fiacchino and his sister Alyssa, 14, attend Old Canal Days with their parents every year. They made sure to line up on State Street early to get a good spot to see all the festivities and collect a lot of candy. “I like getting all the candy,” said Jimmy Fiacchino, noting that Tootsie Rolls are his favorite. “I just like the chocolate about it.” Alyssa Fiacchino was looking forward to the carnival to experience the rides. “I like the Zero Gravity ride,” she said. “It’s fun and it spins a lot.” Elsewhere at Old Canal Days the Friday night music lineup featured Poison’d Crue and LAVA Rock, while Bingo games also added to the fun. Gallery Seven invited carnivalgoers to stop by The Gaylord Building to see the latest exhibits and Illinois State Museum-Lockport offered extended hours for its Rocked & Rolled showcase, which runs through October. The Craft Show was scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, as were the Lock Tours and Heritage Village, which spotlighted the city’s history. “We have this historic canal that opened up the Midwest,” Streit said. “We have these wonderful buildings, the path along it and the museums. It represents our moniker: ‘The City of Historic Pride.’” Along with honoring history and showcasing local businesses, Chamber of Commerce President Tim Gaba, of Perfect Shape Fitness, counts spending time with the community as one of the highlights of Old Canal Days. “I love how it brings the community together,” Gaba said. “It’s really great to see everybody come out, have some fun, interact and be a part of the community. You get to see people you haven’t seen in awhile, and it’s a great opportunity to meet up with old friends.”
Page 1 and 2: LOCKPORT’S Award-Winning Hometown
Page 3: lockportlegend.com news the lockpor
Page 7 and 8: lockportlegend.com lockport the loc
Page 9 and 10: lockportlegend.com community the lo
Page 13 and 14: lockportlegend.com sound off the lo
Page 15 and 16: ‘Let it go’ Lockport-Homer Yout
Page 17 and 18: lockportlegend.com life & arts the
Page 23 and 24: lockportlegend.com puzzles the lock
Page 25 and 26: lockportlegend.com real estate the
Page 27 and 28: lockportlegend.com classifieds the
Page 35 and 36: lockportlegend.com sports the lockp
Page 39 and 40: lockportlegend.com sports the lockp

LP_062019

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?