Developing Hofbräuhaus in Belleville has been a series of struggles. Here’s a timeline
Here’s a look at the history of the Hofbräuhaus development in Belleville:
February 2015: Plans to include a Hofbräuhaus German restaurant in a development on land annexed by the city of Belleville are revealed in a meeting of the Economic Development and Annexation Committee.
May 2015: The Belleville City Council approves a TIF plan for the developers of a site that would include Hofbräuhaus, as well as an upscale hotel, other restaurants, a conference center and a gas station.
September 2015: The developers — The Keller Group — ask the city of Belleville to increase its tax incentive package to an estimated $32.36 million, saying that if the project takes off, its value would nearly double to $90 million. Should that happen, the city would draw about $1 million annually in sales tax revenue.
The Economic Development and Annexation Committee approves the changes. The city previously agreed to tax incentives worth $15.69 million when the overall project was valued at $50 million.
December 2015: Fairview Heights-based construction company Impact Strategies is awarded the contract to develop Hofbräuhaus. Construction begins.
April/May 2016: The June 1 goal of opening Hofbräuhaus is pushed to the fall, then to Thanksgiving. It would be pushed back five more times before opening in March 2018.
August 2016: Construction on Hofbräuhaus passes the half-way point.
A report to Belleville aldermen stated that some contractors left the building site “due to their payment status and unanswered questions.” Ron O’Connor of O’Connor and Partners Inc. represents the Keller family and says that “payments have been made and are being made.” Construction resumes.
November 2016: Developer Chuck Keller of The Keller Group sends a letter to Belleville leaders asking for support against criticism of the development.
December 2016: Keller sends a cease and desist letter to then-Belleville City Clerk Dallas Cook, accusing him of making false and defamatory comments about the development.
Cook responds with a letter via his lawyer that his comments are protected by the First Amendment.
April 2017: Keller and his son Chane Keller extend their franchise agreement with Hofbräuhaus of America, which is based in Henderson, Nevada.
June 2017: Then-Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert gives an update on the Hofbräuhaus development at a City Council meeting. Eckert expresses disappointment in the pace of the work, but optimism moving forward.
October 2017: Hofbräuhaus developers’ request for a liquor license is unanimously approved by the Belleville City Council.
November 2017: As Hofbräuhaus construction nears completion, exterior signage is installed, the parking lot is paved, job openings are advertised and online presence increases.
March 21, 2018: Hofbräuhaus, not yet open to the public, hosts its first event. The Young Professionals group of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce sample the food and beer.
March 27, 2018: Nearly two years after an originally set opening date of June 1, 2016, Hofbräuhaus quietly opens to the public.
April 18, 2018: Hofbräuhaus holds an invitation-only grand opening event.
Jan. 25, 2019: Chuck Keller, leader of the Effingham family that started the Hofbräuhaus development, died on his 80th birthday.
Sept. 2019: On the same day Hofbräuhaus said on Facebook that it was closing temporarily because it was under new management, the Illinois Department of Revenue posted a warning sign on its door saying that the business’ certificate of registration was revoked for non-compliance with tax laws.
October 2019: Hofbräuhaus celebrates a grand reopening under a new general manager, Matt Chambers.
Dec. 2019: Royal Banks of Missouri alleges in a petition filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court on Dec. 2, seeking a $21.7 million judgment against the Hofbräuhaus developers, that they failed multiple times to pay restaurant sales tax when it was due, which resulted in the September closure.
Dec. 6, 2019: A circuit court in St. Louis County places Hofbräuhaus into receivership and appoints William Guy Crouch receiver, putting him in charge of management of Hofbräuhaus on behalf of the development’s lenders.
March 2020: Hofbräuhaus closes due to COVID-19.
June 2020: Hofbräuhaus reopens with new restrictions in compliance with state and local COVID guidelines.
Feb. 20, 2022: Hofbräuhaus’ franchise agreement expires due to an alleged failure to pay past-due royalties and other violations of the contract, according to a lawsuit filed by Hofbräuhaus of America.
September 2022: The Keller family liquidates multiple properties to cover legal expenses. Hofbräuhaus remains open at this time and celebrates Oktoberfest Sept. 9-11.
November 2022: Hofbräuhaus opens an arcade in the banquet area of the restaurant.
Jan. 29, 2023: Hofbräuhaus announces a new menu, effective, Wednesday, Feb. 1, on social media.
February 2023: Hofbräuhaus is temporarily closed.
