North Shore Distillery presents plans for Mundelein manufacturing site, seeks liquor-license application

Sonia and Derek Kasebaum, co-owners of North Shore Distillery, appeared at the Mundelein Village Board meeting on April 27 to present plans for a manufacturing facility at 901 East Orchard Street and to ask for the chance to apply for a village liquor license for that location. The couple said they are Illinois craft distillers in business since 2004 and intend the Orchard Street site primarily for manufacturing, with a small retail area for bottle sales and limited sampling.

Sonia Kasebaum said the distillery would offer small samples of about one-third of an ounce and would host tours for groups of roughly 15 people; she said the operation would not serve full cocktails at the manufacturing site at this stage. Derek Kasebaum described the facility layout and emphasized handcrafting and limited production hours; the owners said production hours would typically be about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with occasional extended hours on Fridays or one Saturday a month.

Trustees asked about proximity to child-oriented businesses in the same light-industrial strip; a trustee noted the location sits near dance and sports studios and urged the owners to be mindful of parking and safety around school- and youth-focused activity. The Kasebaums said they have experience operating next to similar tenants and emphasized limited hours, higher-priced products and coordination with neighboring businesses.

Mayor and trustees responded positively, offering the owners a package and the opportunity to apply for the license; no formal license grant was recorded in the April 27 proceedings. The owners estimated the manufacturing site could open in roughly a month to six weeks, expressing hope for a July opening but noting remaining steps to complete.