Built in 1917, the building that now houses Star Union Spirits has been one of the most iconic buildings in the Illinois Valley.
It was once home to The United Clock Company of Peru, eventually becoming Western Clock Co., that prided itself on innovation and quality.
By the early 1950s, Westclox employed thousands of LaSalle-Peru residents. Hundreds of thousands of clocks were produced a year, until closing its doors in 1980.
When Bob and Jeff were looking for places for Star Union Spirits they were drawn to the building’s history and ties to the community.
Sharing the same desire for producing quality and innovation, they began renovation and development of the area’s only distillery.
Now over 20 businesses call the historic Westclox home.
Star Union Spirits is happy to be a part of the exciting renovation and growth happening right now in the Westclox Clock Factory.
Peru’s first settlement
Peru’s first settler, John Hays, arrives in 1830
Abraham Lincoln and partner open a tavern and became licensed bartenders.
In New Salem, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln and partner opened a tavern and became Licensed Bartenders. They were permitted to sell Spirits, including Liquor at 12 cents a Pint. They served French Brandy, Peach Brandy, Apple Brandy, Holland Gin, Domestic Gin, Wine, Rum, Whiskey, and Beer. They also could sell food, including takeout meals for Stage Coach passengers.
Star Union Products Company, Inc. begins brewing
Star Union Products Company, Inc. was started by Fred Kaiser and started making Star Model Beer and Seppl’ Brau Beer in Peru
Maze Lumber Is Founded
Maze Lumber founded by Samuel Maze along the Illinois River
Peru, IL is incorporated as a City
Lincoln Douglas Debates are held in Ottawa, IL on August 21, 1858
The American Civil War Begins
Star Union changes its name and becomes Union Beer Company
Innovation At The Westclox Factory
Westclox began as The United Clock Company of Peru, Illinois in 1885. Only 4 inch clock movements were made at that time. Patent #326,602 was granted to Charles Stahlberg on Sept. 22, 1885. They incorporated The United Clock Company on December 23, 1885. A three story brick building was erected to house the new company. Production upped to 25 Clocks per day
Maze makes nails from pure zinc.
Maze Lumber buys first cut nail machine – makes nails from pure zinc.
Bankrupt & Reorganized
Western Clock Co. Incorporated May 14, 1887
Union Beer Company changes its name
Union Beer Company changes its name back and again becomes Star Union Products Company and holds that name from 1891 until closure in 1966.
The Trade Mark “Westclox” was registered.
The registration stated that the trade mark had been in continual use since November, 1909.
The Westclox Factory addition that houses Star Union Spirits was built.
Star Union Products Company, Inc. celebrates 100 years in business.
Star Union Products Company, Inc. closes its doors.
Westclox Factory Building closes its doors.
Bob begins career as graphic artist.
Jeff graduates law school
Jeff graduates in May 1990 and moves to Chicago in December. 1990-2015, Jeff serves as in-house counsel to several Chicago corporations, and continues as licensed in-house counsel for Star Union Spirits LLC.
Bob moves next door to Charlie Marino
Bob moves next door to Charlie Marino, winemaker extraordinaire whose family emigrated from Italy.
Bob jumps into winemaking
Bob jumps into winemaking with Charlie Marino, learning from Charlie and the knowledge Charlie carried from generations before.
Jeff and Bob discuss winemaking on a Dad’s Club children’s school camping trip.
Jeff makes his first batch of wine at Bob’s Fairfield Avenue Winery winemaking cooperative.
Jeff and Bob gain experience.
From 2010 to 2017, Jeff And Bob continued to make wine and travelled to over 120 Distilleries and Breweries to speak with owners, brewers and distillers and shadow at a number of these places, to gain hands on experience with the technical side of Brewing and Distilling. In 2017, Jeff and Bob become “brewers for a day” at Old Irving Brewery.
Distilling The first batch of Grappa
Windy and Yosowitz would further education in the Summer of 2015 working with a distiller and distilling a prototype brandy and grappa batches through a licensed distillery in the Chicagoland area.
Bob and Jeff Team Up
Bob and Jeff team up to organize Star Union Spirits which is formed on September 15, 2016 and takes up residence in the Historic Westclox Factory Building. Jeff drafts a proposed Peru, IL Craft Distilling Ordinance, which moved through the Peru legislative offices and by November, 2016, Peru had a new Craft Distiller’s law. In January 2017, renovations began on what would become Star Union Spirits Production and Tasting Rooms in the Historic Westclox factory building.
Star Union Spirits becomes a U.S. Registered Trademark
Star Union Spirits becomes a U.S. Registered Trademark of Star Union Spirits LLC on November 28th
Star Union Spirits Open’s its Big Doors
Renovations completed, licenses procured, distilling commences on May 25th, and the Tasting Room “Soft Opens” with live music and craft cocktails on November 23rd (Black Friday).
Star Union Spirits Ribbon Cutting
Star Union Spirits has a Ribbon Cutting with government officials and representatives from the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce and officially opens its beautiful new doors to the public.
