SHINING STAR Star Union Spirits’ co-owners build award-winning business from their shared hobby

from Starved Rock Country Magazine - Spring 2022

by Shaw Media

PLENTY OF FISH IN THE RIVER

| Dining & Drinking |

STAR Shining

Story by Ryan Searl Photos by Tom Sistak and Star Union Spirits

Star Union SpiritS’ co-ownerS bUild award-winning bUSineSS from their Shared hobby

bout 10 minutes to the west of Starved Rock State Park, behind the walls of the former Westclox clock factory, Star Union Spirits is spearheading an artisan distillery revival — crafting an ever-growing line of award-winning vodka, brandy, rum and grappa.

This small-batch distillery is doing more than just bottling beverages that can be found in supermarkets, liquor stores and bars across the state. It’s also home to a relaxing tasting room where guests can imbibe expertly made craft cocktails and take in local live music.

The name Star Union Spirits harkens back to Peru’s first licensed alcohol producer, Star Union Products Company. After an impressive 121 years of operation, Star Union Products Company officially shuttered its doors in 1966.

With its absence, this iconic brewer left a cask-shaped hole that was never filled in the community. Until now.

“We knew the city could support a local distiller, we’ve got more than 100 years of history to prove it,” says coowner Bob Windy with a laugh.

He and fellow co-owner Jeff Yosowitz will be the first to admit they didn’t have the most conventional path to owning a distillery. After meeting through their sons’ Chicago school more than a decade ago, the two began working closely together in a social club with other dads. The group primarily organized park cleanups and other activities, but it would also serve as their springboard into distilling.

On a camping trip, “Bob brought along a bottle of his homemade wine. I said, ‘Wait, what do you mean you made that?… I want to make that!’ and that was sort of our origin. We

STAR UNION SPIRITS 300 Fifth St., Peru 815-205-1234 • www.starunionspirits.com

started making wine together on the weekends,” says Yosowitz.

Over the years, winemaking transitioned to spirits. As the hobby consumed more and more of their free time, they began seriously considering a business. “We always said, if we get the opportunity to do this for real, we need to do it right,” adds Yosowitz. They toured more than 200 other craft distilleries and spoke with their owners.

Since opening its doors in November 2018, Star Union has crafted batches of apple, cherry, grape and blackberry brandies; grappas; rye and corn whiskeys; vodka; rested agave; rum; and coffee liqueur. This ever-expanding selection, many of which are available in both aged and immature varietals, has earned this small distillery operation some major national and international awards.

Recently, Star Union Spirits came home with eight awards from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including highly coveted double gold medals for their Navy Strength Dark Rum and Reserve Rum. The distillery’s rum endeavors are aided by the award-winning distiller, Casey Beall, who joined the staff in 2019 and brought along eight years of rum and agave distilling experience from now-closed Tailwinds Distilling Company in Plainfield.

These award-winning artisan beverage innovations are all taking place inside Peru’s iconic Westclox building, home to many exciting new artistic endeavors. The Westclox clock manufacturing company, once one of the largest and most widely known employers in Starved Rock Country, was housed inside this sprawling 350,000-square-foot factory. This gorgeous turn-of-the-century brick structure was left vacant in 1980, then badly damaged by fire in 2012.

Thanks to an enclave of entrepreneurs, the building now hosts Tana Yoga Studio, Unwind At Westclox day spa and wellness center, Audio Out studio and recording company, NCI ARTworks gallery and more — now including Fire on Fifth, an upscale wood-fired pizza place serving a wide selection of craft beers, located just a few paces from Star Union Spirits’ tasting room.

Windy’s connection to the old factory building is just as improbable as his journey into distilling. “My grandfather worked in this building so there’s a big personal connection,” he says.

“We love being a catalyst in this building,” Yosowitz adds. “This side of Peru, particularly the Westclox building, is becoming a major arts hub for the area.”

Star Union Spirits’ dedication to preserving the history of the building is evident even in the tasting room. One of Westclox’s old bowling lanes, a rare amenity offered to factory employees, has been repurposed as the main bar top. Old factory window frames serve as the foot rail.

“We found it just wasn’t cost-effective to open up something like this in Chicago. But out here we could get a really impressive building and still use the best local talent,” Windy says.

Take, for example, local woodworker Ryan Giacometti, who played a major part in designing the space. The tasting room features shiplap barnwood lining the walls, a massive window overlooking the distillery operations and even a large chandelier. Beyond the distilling equipment, there’s a row of glass cabinets lining the eastern wall of the building. These cases house a miniature museum and history of Star Union’s namesake.

“I want people from Chicago to know this area is every bit the vacation spot Door County or Traverse City is,” Windy says.