Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/68310
The Wirtz Family and Blackhawk Ambassadors celebrate the grand opening of Wirtz Beverage Illinois's new corporate headquarters. Pictured left to right: Art Wirtz, Vice President of Operations, Wirtz Beverage Illinois; Jimmy Wirtz, Wine & Spirits Specialist, Wirtz Beverage Illinois; Bobby Hull, Blackhawks Ambassador; Victor Garcia, Trustee, Town of Cicero; Tony Esposito, Blackhawks Ambassador; Danny Wirtz, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Wirtz Beverage Group; Rocky Wirtz, President, Wirtz Beverage Group. in the time capsule included Wirtz family memo- rabilia, signed bottles from suppliers and a 2011-12 Chicago Blackhawks jersey. Blackhawk Ambassadors—including Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard—were among the dignitaries. "This grand opening isn't just celebrat- ing a building or celebrating our success; it signifies a commitment to the future," said Some of Chicago's most celebrated mixologists brought their most creative libations to The Alchemy Room at Wirtz Beverage of Illinois's grand opening. Left to right: Freddy Sarkis, Kris von Dopek, Ben Schiller, Clint Rogers, Matty Eggleston, Eric Hay and Todd Appel. Julian Burzynski, Senior Vice President, Wirtz Beverage Illinois. "We remain a family company deeply rooted in the values of our founders, but we embrace innovation." Wirtz's new central headquarters' most significant attribute—amidst state-of-the art functionality and a temperature-controlled wine storage area—is perhaps The Alchemy Room. Designed by mixologists, sommeliers and chefs, The Alchemy Room is where Wirtz will host beverage education, development and training. Technological features include a commercial kitchen, three bartending stations with wells and nine high-definition video screens. "The Alchemy Room is a real point of dif- ferentiation," says Burzynski. "It really brings to life what we do every day in the market." "It was obvious that we needed to have The Alchemy Room here, after the one in [Wirtz Beverage Nevada] Las Vegas established the standard," added Eric Hay, Beverage Development Manager, Wirtz Beverage Illinois. "We can host restaurant and bar staffs who want to create new menus—especially places that haven't opened yet, but have a staff in place that need training. We'll bring you in, have you cook in our kitchen and train your bartenders. When open, you'll be happy knowing you had a value- added service that cost nothing." Wirtz Realty, a holding within Wirtz Corporation, developed 35 acres from the dilapidated Sportsman's Park racetrack site. The building was completed in 13 months. "This was a significant project," said Anthony Iatarola, Senior Vice President, Wirtz Realty Corporation. "We completed it on budget and ahead of schedule." june 2012 / the tasting panel / 41