By Shannon Maria Jones
Westtown-based Boxcar Brewing Company has hit a snag in their plans to bring a brewpub to downtown West Chester, as the Borough has filed a protest of their liquor license application.
According to a Daily local report, Boxcar owners originally announced their intention to bring a brewpub to the downtown in April, having secured a spot in the 100 block of E. Market Street, formerly The Note, which closed in January 2014 after a six-year run.
Owners James and Kymberly Robinson say the brewpub would focus on offering Boxcar’s craft beer combined with a full-menu of food, with a focus on organic, local ingredients.
Brewer James Robinson said, “our goal is to provide a warm, welcoming family-friendly atmosphere, not an additional college-type (business).”
Boxcar is seeking a brewpub license that would allow it to serve its own craft beer as well as local Pennsylvania wine, but hard liquor sales would not be permitted with the license. Currently operating in a location off Westtown Road in West Goshen, the bulk of Boxcar’s brewing would remain there with limited production at the Market Street location.
Council President Jordan Norley confirmed that after council heard there was a new application for a liquor license within the Borough, members filed a protest with the borough’s solicitor. That action preserved council’s right to appeal any decision, though Norley said it was meant primarily so they could work out a deal with ownership.
All committee members said they were in support of the brewery’s plan, noting how it would revive that corner of the downtown, but wanted to sit down with Boxcar’s ownership to discuss more details.
Boxcar owners say they hope to open the pub as soon as possible.
For the full article originally published in the Daily Local, visit the newspaper’s homepage here.
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Shannon Maria Jones is co-founder of Dashing Rogue, LLC, “bringing back the dinner party” by providing customizable beer pairing dinners in your home. She hosts the weekly podcast, “Beer Mistress’s Microbrew Review” available on iTunes. Visit www.BeerMistress.com for her beer reviews, pairing tips, and recipes.
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Top image courtesy of figwestchester.com.
