CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A west suburban brewery is hoping that what are called "sun bubbles" will help keep the money rolling in during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Sun bubbles" are like plastic "pop-up greenhouses" that trap heat to allow gardening throughout the winter. As it turns out, make perfect enclosures for outdoor dining, said Steve Marck, one of the co-owners of Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles.
“When it’s sunny out, they get warm, and they block the wind, so it’s much better than standing outside,” Marck told the Kane County Chronicle. “People have been really psyched about it. They’re jazzed they don’t have to sit in the rain, and they thought it was a blast.”
According to the Kane County Chronicle, Marck ordered sun bubbles earlier this fall in anticipation of not only the colder weather, but in case of another ban on indoor dining. And the sun bubbles opened just in time, as Governor Pritzker placed a ban on indoor restaurant and bar service.
Now, customers can have beer and cider brought to the sun bubbles, as they can no longer order from the taproom. And while the brewing company doesn't have a kitchen, customers can bring their own food into their bubble or enjoy a meal from one of the food trucks stationed near the building on weekends.
Marck said he is planning to leave the sun bubbles out as long as possible.
The brewery has 14 sun bubbles available by reservation, but could add more. The bubbles are located next to the taproom, located at 1860 Dean St., Unit A, in St. Charles.