Property purchase makes Piece more permanent part of Wicker Park's business community

With a ten year lease at 1923-31 W. North Ave., Piece Brewery & Pizzeria was given right of first refusal by BigFin Properties, Inc. to purchase the building. "It was perfect timing for us, interest rates are lower and Art Sundry (BigFin) wanted to sell," said Bill Jacobs the primary owner of the New Haven-style pizzeria and brewery that has been in the location since July 2001." The property sale was finalized on Jan. 12.

The price for the 1920's style building, that housed Casten Roofing for many years, was $4.285 million for the 30 feet high 5,800-square-foot pizzeria and brewpub with a skylight that runs the length of the restaurant;  1,400-square-foot carryout and delivery business, Piece Out; as well as the approximate 1,200-square-foot Salon Blue tenant on the west side of the building.

In the bagel business from 1983 to 1999, Bill and his brother sold Jacobs Bros. Bagels to Big Apple Bagels when they were preparing to go public. "The genesis of Piece occurred when I was in the bagel business. Matt Brynildson, who I met when he came to school after getting a graduate degree in food sciences, approached me. He wanted me to keep him in mind if I ever thought about doing a new business concept. He was running operations for Goose Island brewery on Fulton. I had always thought about bringing the type of thin crusted pizza that I had grown up with in Connecticut to Chicago. Then I thought about pairing great pizza and great beer.

"So in 2000, I put together a business plan, raised some capital, signed a lease in 2000 and opened the doors the next year." Among his partners are Brynildson and Cheap Trick lead guitarist Rick Nielsen. In 2010 Pizza Today magazine reported that Piece sold about 3,600 pizzas a week, totaling more than $6 million in sales, making them one of the highest-grossing independent operations in the U.S., according to the magazine. In 2011, the magazine chose piece the recipient of their 2011 Independent Pizzeria of the Year award.

"We have expanded the original business by adding Piece Out, the delivery service and expanded our brewing by six more fermenting tanks. But at this point, we have no plans to expand or have another site. We want to focus on what we do and do it well. It is really not all about money it is about quality of life and doing things the right way.

"It is an honor to be in this area, we have seen the 'gentrification' for better and worse and it is fascinating. It has changed dramatically since we have been here. It is thriving, bustling entertainment district. We hope and expect that we are good business operators and doing good things for the neighborhood and community which we believe in and support.

"I think that everyone should support local home grown businesses, the small business and boutiques are what give Wicker Park and Bucktown their flavor. When you support your local businesses you are supporting your neighborhood and local economy and the City. And, I think that all of us should take heed of that and give back to the community, because that is really what makes it special and what is going to make the area viable."

When not at work, Bill's competitive nature has him at sporting events, working out or in competitive events.

 

*Mashing out is part of the first step in brewing. After the grain has been heated with water it is removed (mashed out). The beer is then moved to another fermenting tank.