Today we’d like to introduce you to John Wright
Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent 25 years in the computer industry culminating at Apple leading the operating system team for the first 8 iOS releases. I “semi-retired” in 2013, and moved my family from San Francisco back home to Illinois. My wife, Kendra, and I started looking for a building to buy and remodel and we kept being drawn to the Red Rooster. Eventually we convinced ourselves that we should take on the renovation of this beautiful building. We began in January of 2018 and finished the last of the apartments this July. Our renovated hotel and tap room as well as the brewery have been open since June 2023. Kendra and I have always loved historic buildings and have remodeled a couple historic homes in our 30 years together. We moved back to the area because it proved to be a wonderful place for our children to grow up. After 20 years in big cities, it was easy to settle in to the easier pace of life in a small town with our 3 children.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, our building is 124 years old, so nothing has gone “smoothly”. We have completed a full renovation from top to
bottom so our historic building is ready for another 124 years of life!. Along the way we have tried to keep our expectations in check, thinking that it is best that is be finished “Wright” than that it be finished quickly. We knew that each wall, each area we broke into, each new idea would bring challenges and obstacles that we hadn’t planned for or even thought about. Thankfully we are both pretty easy going and flexible, not to mention we both try to have the attitude that is is in God’s hands. Managing and operating the Red Rooster is a daily challenge as well, there is always something coming up – that is just the way life is and running a business is no different. We are blessed to have found some truly wonderful staff that help us run things everyday. Our oldest son is our Assistant Brewer and our other kids are the backup housekeeping and bartenders – so it is safe to say it is a family endeavor.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We offer many things to guests – a historic inn, brewery, distillery, apartment building, tap room, restaurant. Our tap room has board games, as well as a free pool table, dart boards, and shuffle board. Our amazing beer garden has bags and plenty of dog friendly seating with a great view into our brewery and our silos. We strive to brew drinkable and delicious beers for all our
guests, hopefully we have something for everyone. We offer up tasty upscale pub food and have something for everyone – our famous Rooster smash burgers to monthly specials designed to keep you coming back and 6 packs to go for you to take away with you when you go.
Our hotel rooms are a comfy home away from home with modern amenities nestled into our building from 1902. Everywhere you look you ask – is this old or new? We have designed it that way so it is timeless and inviting. A place to relax, visit with friends and family, and just enjoy a reprieve.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Hillsboro is the quintessential small town. It is a wonderful close knit community with people who truly care and it is close enough to St. Louis so we can still get to the big city with all its benefits easily and quickly. We are about an hour from St. Louis, making it an easy day trip or a great weekend getaway.
Pricing:
- Full pints are $6 or $7, of course we offer 8oz and 4oz tasters.
- Most main dishes are $14 with a main and side.
- Hotel rooms are $129 and suites are $169.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://historicredrooster.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historicredrooster/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@HistoricRedRooster/
