USA, NC: Olde Salem Brewing Co. in the works for downtown Salem

A brewery is in the works for downtown Salem, the Roanoke Times reported on April 22.

Sean Turk, a real estate agent with RE/MAX All Stars, and three other investors are in the process of purchasing the building at 21 E. Main St. to open Olde Salem Brewing Co. That spot is more familiar as the longtime home of Tarpley's and Mac's Appliances, which has been in that building since 1948.

The property has been on the market for a long time, though, and Turk saw it as a prime opportunity to open a brewery downtown, something city officials have been clamoring for.

The space is about 7,700-square-feet and has private parking in the back that would allow food trucks to set up shop. Turk has a brewer in mind already and plans to install a five-barrel brewing system. Distribution isn't planned yet but could be on the table in the future. Details about the beer are still being worked out, but Turk said he expects a lot of the standard craft beer favorites: India pale ale, Kolsch and porter. He said he would also like to have some barrel-aged and sour beers.

He hopes to begin work after the sale of the building closes. Tarpley's is in the process of selling its inventory, and the owner said the store's last day open will be May 15. Turk said he hopes to incorporate some of the appliance store themes into the renovations since it called the building home for so many years.

"Being able to own a piece of history in downtown is a thrilling part of this," Turk said.

He plans to use facade grant funding from the city to renovate the entrance and redo much of the interior. Turk said he wants to help the city with its plans for downtown revitalization and wants the brewery to be a family-friendly spot where people can visit with each other.

An opening date hasn't been finalized, but Olde Salem Brewing is expected to open by the end of the year.

23 April, 2017