Carmela Wallace, the mother of late rapper Juice WRLD, held a grand opening on Friday for a new brewpub in south suburban Homewood that serves as a tribute to her son.
Homewood residents and supporters gathered at Homewood Brewing Company, 18225 Dixie Highway, to attend a ribbon-cutting celebration for the brewpub, which is holding a soft opening Friday and Saturday before operating at extended hours next week.
“I just wanted to find a way to give back to a community that was special to Jarad and I,” Wallace said of her late son. “I just got the idea, and it just grew into this beautiful project.”
The brewpub was three years in the making, said Juice WRLD’s brother, Brian Wallace, who is head of brewing operations. Head Chef Robert Lauderdale is overseeing food, which features homemade sausages and seasonal small plates.
Exterior of Homewood Brewing Company, 18225 Dixie Highway, and the brewpub’s benefit beer “Wishing Well,” which 10% of its net proceeds support the foundation Live Free 999. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
“This brewery is like healing,” Brian Wallace said. “It’s been really helpful as far as dealing with the grief.”
Juice WRLD, whose real name was Jarad Higgins, was born in south suburban Blue Island and later moved to nearby Homewood where he attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School and played bass drum in his high school marching band.
Members of Homewood-Flossmoor High School marching band performed ahead of Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, including performing a rendition of Juice WRLD’s hit single, “Lucid Dreams.”
“He loved Homewood,” Wallace said of her son. “He was very connected and once he became famous, he still came back home to Homewood, until he couldn’t, but he always came back home.”
From left, Juice WRLD’s brother and head of brewing operations at Homewood Brewing Company Brian Wallace, Juice WRLD’s mother and brewpub owner Carmela Wallace, head chef Robert Lauderdale and Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld following ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 18, 2024. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Known for his candid and introspective lyrics about his struggle with addiction and depression, Juice WRLD was a leading artist in the emo rap and Soundcloud rap eras. He was was awarded top new artist at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019.
Higgins died of a drug overdose at Midway Airport in late 2019 at the age of 21.
Wallace founded Live Free 999 following her son’s death to support programs addressing mental health and addiction. The foundation recently gave a $100,000 donation to various organizations addressing mental health in light of Mental Health Awareness Day.
“I felt like Jarad touched so many people through his music,” Wallace said. “His message was for people not to suffer in silence and be alone, so I felt like I needed to continue his message and help those who were struggling and just find a way for them to get the help that they need.”
Homewood Brewing Company will be donating 10% of net proceeds of its benefit beer, “Wishing Well,” to support Live Free 999.
Note: This article was published Oct. 18, 2024, and updated with video Oct. 23, 2024.
Interior of Homewood Brewing Company during its grand opening event on Oct. 18, 2024. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
