E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC: Uptown Brewing Company coming to North Carolina this fall

A new business is on tap for the future in Greenville. North Carolina continues to hop up on the craft brewery list and now a new brewery will be making its way to the east this fall, WITN reported on June 25.

Not only will they be filling the empty mugs of beer enthusiasts, but also they're filling up an old building that's been empty of business.

Uptown Brewing Company will be moving into the building at 418 Evans Street.

Roger Johnson, Greenville's economic development manager, says the Building Reuse Grant, which was awarded to the brewery by the Department of Commerce, is intended for properties that have been vacant for over 30 days.

"The brewers themselves contacted the Office of Economic Development and asked for assistance on grants and to learn what is available for them," says Johnson. "They knew a little about the Building Reuse Grant, but the Office of Economic Development served as an advocate and helped them fill out the application."

Johnson says having a brewery of this nature will add to the vibrancy of uptown and surrounding businesses agree.

"I think having a brand new business, especially in a building that has been empty for so long, will do nothing but good," says Neil Clark, a tattoo artist at Garry's Skin Grafix. "It is going to bring people around this corner and have them explore this road, Evans Street, more than just Fifth Street."

Clark says he has lived in Greenville for over 18 years and believes a business like this will do exceptionally well because of the college population.

According to the city, the owner of Uptown Brewing Company plans to have a soft opening in October.

Johnson says the brewery is expected to bring 18 new jobs with above average salaries to Greenville. He says this will be a $500,000 dollar capital investment once all is done.

The number of breweries continues to rise on the beerscape in the state of North Carolina, with an estimated 170 total breweries by the end of this year.


27 June, 2016