New PressHouse rolls into the Old Herald, with still more to come
An exterior view of the pub. (Courtesy of the Old Herald Brewery)
By Melissa Crocket Meske
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]
Back in July of this year, Collinsville’s Old Herald Brewery & Distillery Owner Derik Reiser had posted details on Facebook regarding upcoming changes to operations and to the venue itself.
And on Aug. 14, those changes were introduced as the new restaurant on-site, PressHouse, made its debut at the 113 E. Clay Street location.
But that’s not all that’s new at the Old Herald.
Restaurant operations on-site are now separately owned and operated by Jennifer James. Her fiancé Ryan Peterson helps carry out the vision she has, and James’s son Brendan is the PressHouse executive chef. Brendan’s wife Hailey is part of the PressHouse leadership team as well, serving as director of hospitality. Jennifer James’s other son, Karson, is also on staff. Ben Stephens has come onboard to serve as the PressHouse’s executive kitchen manager.
In his July 10 Facebook post, Reiser had noted: “This past year has been challenging to say the least…we very much appreciate the support we have received along with the insights from those who may not be our biggest fans. Frankly, we do not have the talent and experience necessary to deliver the restaurant experience we’ve always wanted to bring to Collinsville while also building a beverage brand. From the beginning our passion has been producing tasty beverages and creating a welcoming community space to introduce them. We have faced the often-painful truth that we’ve fallen short on the restaurant and service experience…ultimately letting our community down.”
Reiser continued, saying: “Since announcing that we were looking for an experienced restaurant operator we have been introduced to more than a hundred talented operators. This has led to a fantastic partnership and opportunity to spin off the restaurant and event business to a separate owner as passionate about the hospitality experience as we are about producing tasty beverages!”
It was James and her vision for PressHouse that had stepped in, with the passion and enthusiasm that Reiser had been hoping for all along.
The new entity’s logo (Courtesy of Melissa Crocket Meske)
Reiser continues to own the building and continues brewing and distillery operations as Ardent Spirits and Old Herald Brewery. The legacy of the space that houses PressHouse now and once was the Collinsville Herald newspaper footprint continues to be honored throughout.
PressHouse is a full-service restaurant with a menu that features fresh, seasonal options prepared from local vendors and farm sources. Lunch and dinner options are both available from the menu. The menu includes go-to favorites, such as burgers crafted with in-house flair, along with other specials that rotate seasonally and as the kitchen’s creativity facilitates.
Blending rustic charm with modern hospitality, PressHouse welcomes customers to join in for a cozy lunch or dinner, to celebrate a milestone, for a private event, or other occasion. Customers will experience “elevated dining with a relaxed, welcoming vibe,” noted its owners.
Local artist Kelly Lee, owner of Hype of Type, is the painter behind the PressHouse mural on the front of the building as well as the window signage and the mural that will be featured in the expansion space underway.
A soon-to-be expansion is planned for the PressHouse side of things: The addition of “The Daily Draft” will feature a sports bar theme including televisions, a more casual atmosphere, and a menu that aligns with a typical “game day.”
Both outdoor and indoor event spaces are now also part of PressHouse operations and its new owners. The two event spaces include the “Press Room” (up to 103 guests) and “The Barrel Room” (up to 165 guests).
During colder months, PressHouse plans to have a variety of events in its indoor event spaces, including tastings, pairings, as well as other types of celebrations.
The spaces are also available for private events, with full catering and bar service provided in-house. Event spaces feature a full bar that, of course, emphasizes Old Herald Brewery and Ardent Spirits products brewed on-site by Reiser. The bar also is now able to offer a wide selection of wines, other liquors, along with domestic and imported beers.
James further noted that Old Herald gift cards issued within the past year will be honored at the PressHouse.
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
For those interested in applying for any of the PressHouse’s available positions, email your resume to [email protected].
Visit the PressHouse Collinsville Facebook page, call (618) 855-8027, or email [email protected] for more information. You can also visit the website at https://www.press-house.com.
