SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KMTR) -- Revitalizing downtown Springfield, a Lane County business owner and others are investing their money in a new brew pub right in the heart of the city.
Plans are in the works to bring a brand new brewery called “Plank Town Brewing Company” to downtown Springfield.
One of the guys behind the project is familiar to the bar scene, having already completed similar projects with success in Eugene and Cottage Grove.
The “Plank Town Brewing Company” pub is in progress now with a plan of opening in the fall of 2012.
The pub is set to go in where Ruthie B’s tea house used to be, right on the corner of 4th and Main Street.
Bart Caridio is one of the people behind it. Caridio also helped open the “Sam Bond's Garage” pub in Eugene's Whiteaker District and the "Axe and Fiddle" pub in Cottage Grove.
Caridio hopes “Plank Town” will be a huge catalyst in revitalizing downtown Springfield.
While the area has a history of what some have called "problematic bars," Caridio says this one will be an enhancement.
“I have a feeling we'll be getting a lot of visitors to downtown Springfield in the future,” says Caridio.
“Creating something in a neighborhood that doesn't have a quality meeting spot,” says Caridio.
“Help revitalize the whole area. It's like once you get in signature businesses, other businesses tend to want to be around that same area,” says Caridio.
Caridio says the plan is to brew beer on site. The business already has a brewer lined up to do it as well, who's been involved in brewing operations at "Block 15 Brewing Company" in Corvallis. Eugene-Springfield area residents may also remember the brewer, who also spent more than a decade working in Eugene at West Bros. Brewery and the McMenamins High Street Brewery and Cafe.
“Plank Town is planning to keep its old school floor, brick and cracking plaster on the inside.
The restaurant will seat about 100 people to begin with and serve northwest cuisine while doing live music shows a couple times a week.
The name “Plank Town” is homage on Springfield's logging history as well.
Caridio says the city used to lay down cedar planks in the roads for cars to get over large bumps. He says cedar planks will also play a roll in the serving and scenery at the pub.
(Editor's note: In the video version of this story, the brewery's name is incorrectly mentioned as "Plankhouse Brewing Company." The correct name is "Plank Town."-- Chris McKee.)
@KMTR How many bars and breweries does Lane County need! Sure wish some non alcoholic family places would pop up!
