Something new is brewing in the city

There was a traffic backup July 26 on Erie Street in downtown Willoughby as cars tried to get around tractor-trailers that were unloading equipment for the city’s newest restaurant.

Adam Dana of Seattle was one of three drivers who spent seven days hauling new brewing vats and other miscellaneous brewing equipment over 2,480 miles from JV Northwest Inc. in Canbry, Oregon, to the soon-to be-opened Brim and Kitchen Brewery located at 3941 Erie St. in downtown Willoughby.

The three flatbed trucks — two of which arrived around noon, July 26, and the third which arrived later in the afternoon — carried eight large brewing vats that had to be lifted off the trucks with a forklift and other equipment necessary for Brim and Kitchen Brewery to start making their custom brews for their October grand opening.

Brim and Kitchen Brewery, which is owned by T.J. Reagan, the former owner of Willoughby Brewing Company, will feature its brewing process, which will take up two stories of the new facility and can be viewed through large front windows.

The brewing will be able to be viewed from Erie Street, while sitting at the bar, or dining in the upstairs dining room, said Reagan. The kitchen will also be open and able to be viewed by patrons to facility.

Reagan sold Willoughby Brewing Company in 2011 and stepped away from brewing for a couple of years.

“We are building a brand to take on the road,” he said. “I plan on putting one of these in every main street location that fits the demographics,” The demographics include anybody who is interested in fresh local organic food and fair trade, with ingredients brought in locally, Reagan said.

The restaurant is designed to be totally transparent, Reagan said.

“I want everyone to see how we make the beer and the food, I want them to look in the windows and see what’s going on.”

He plans to have the restaurant open from early morning to late night and serve a little something for everyone.

“I plan on opening early with a breakfast option of smoothies, coffee, and fresh fruits and then roll right into lunch and then evening with entertainment,” Reagan said.

The restaurant is scheduled to be opened sometime in October with the hiring process started in August or September.

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS HERALD Adam Dana, a flatbed semi truck driver, helps steady vat equipment he delivered from Oregon to Willoughby for the soon-to-open Brim and Kitchen Brewery, while it is being off-loaded by forklift from the truck.