EASTON, Pa. — Two Rivers Brewing Company is setting sail for a tasty new adventure.
In a partnership between the brewpub’s owners and New Leaf Riverside LLC, a new beer garden will sit on a currently vacant lot at 538-40 Northampton St.
Easton’s Zoning Hearing Board on Monday approved an off-street parking variance for the beer garden, with contingencies regarding no music after 10 p.m.
"It's empty, underutilized, and they'd like to have a beer garden, which is a rather popular feature of many breweries."Architect Caitlyn Laskey
Also, a standing agreement with a nearby business to secure at least five parking spaces for customers.
The beer garden would feature the same menu as the pub and operate at the same hours. Depending upon business, Two Rivers also can use sidewalk space for service.
Two Rivers co-owners Brad and Judy Nelson depicted the new beer garden as a great location for customers to enjoy a drink or a meal outdoors, spring through fall.
“Two Rivers Brewing is looking to expand into the vacant lot next door," said architect Caitlyn Laskey, speaking for the Nelsons and New Leaf Riverside LLC.
"It's empty, underutilized, and they'd like to have a beer garden, which is a rather popular feature of many breweries.
“And so unfortunately, it's a very dense neighborhood; it’s hard to find parking. So in order to get them to be able to have this, we're seeking a variance for some relief from the parking requirement.”
Amid music success, an advocate
Brad Nelson described the state of the lot at the time he and his colleagues bought it as “falling apart” and filled with broken-down vehicles.
Since that time, the lot has been cleared and a small patio for an adjoining property has been set up, but Two Rivers is aiming to provide a better outdoor dining experience with the remainder of the lot.
"We're looking to give our customers a better experience."Brad Nelson, co-owner of Two Rivers Brewing Co.
“So we’re looking to improve that lot. We're looking to give our customers a better experience.
“We think it's one of the few, perhaps the only, kind of outdoor protected dining area in Easton, other than sidewalk dining with a traffic light right by our building.
"Our outdoor dining is popular, but we get a lot of exhaust while you're sitting there waiting for cars to go through.”
Parking was a primary concern, though the Nelsons said they have an agreement with Dykes Lumber Company for parking.
In addition, Judy Nelson credited the 4th Street parking garage with alleviating parking issues for the brewpub.
"We really have had no issues or complaints,” and staff has been trained to assist those with special needs or ADA compliance issues, Nelson said.
Brad Nelson also provided his professional opinion on the issues of parking and business, suggesting the addition should not have a major impact on the area.
“We obviously survived the [coronavirus] pandemic, but we have not gotten back to our peak levels yet," he said.
"So even with the addition of this beer garden, we're hopeful that we may get there, but at odds are we probably will never get back to our peak."
A changed restaurant landscape
Since the pandemic, Nelson said, the city has changed, as has the restaurant industry: competition is more prevalent today than when Two Rivers first opened.
Based on that analysis, Nelson said he could not imagine a scenario in which parking would be a problem if they opened the beer garden, as they never even experienced such issues when they were at their busiest.
“You’d have a staff revolt if we did" keep the garden open longer.Two Rivers owner Judy Nelson
Asked whether the lot could be used for off-street parking, New Leaf Riverside LLC co-owner Chris Wyglendowski said, “We don’t have a definitive answer, but in terms of us owning the property, we wouldn’t foresee using it as primarily parking.”
Being that the pub’s kitchen closes at 10 p.m., zoning solicitor Robert Nitchkey was interested in ensuring there would be no live entertainment that would impact the nearby residential buildings.
The Nelsons said the garden would abide by the hours of the main building, with Judy cheekily adding, “You’d have a staff revolt if we did" keep the garden open longer.
After the Nelsons confirmed they would also maintain at least five other parking spaces — either from Dykes Lumber Company or another entity — and abide by the live entertainment rule, the board granted the variance.
No details on a start date for construction or an opening were confirmed.
