Taproom proposed in former train station building
SOUDERTON » What started as a passion project on the side has turned into a more successful business than initially expected, two representatives of the Radiant Beer Project told Souderton Borough Council Feb. 7.
“We’ve grown so much that we can’t really do much until we get a taproom,” said Brody Bisson, one of Radiant’s owners and head brewer at CoHops Brewery & Cannery in Hatfield.
After working at a brewery in Raleigh, North Carolina, for seven years, Bisson said, he moved back to Pennsylvania two weeks before the start of COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic, and the accompanying shut down of bars, actually turned out to be a benefit for the new business because it was an opportunity to “build a business the opposite way,” he said.
“We’ve actually been open for almost two years now without a taproom,” Bisson said.
During that time, Radiant has been doing contract brewing while making and canning the beers at CoHops, he said.
After looking into another possible location in Souderton, Radiant learned from Souderton Connects about the freight building at the former train station, Rachel Gates, Radiant’s head of sales, said.
Souderton Borough leases the former train station and its accompanying buildings from SEPTA and subleases to businesses, including Northbound restaurant in the former train station.
“We have our heart set on the freight building. We love the little piece of history that it has. We love how quaint it is,” Gates said.
“We want to grow with you guys and we’re super excited to get started,” she said. “We love the building.
It’s so charming.”
The plan is to work with a food truck operator, Bisson said.
“We’re gonna handle the beer side of things and they’re looking to handle all the food and service,” he said.
There would be a service window for customers, he said.
“You just come up to the window, you order your food, you pick it up there and then seat yourself,” Bisson said.
There would not be any waiters or waitresses, he said.
The proposal will now go to council’s Economic Development Committee for its review, council President Tracy Burke said. Both Burke and Mayor Dan Yocum said they are excited about the plans.
Information about Radiant Beer Project, including a list of area distributors handling Radiant products, is available at radiantbeerproject.com.