When Tim Patton, owner and founder of the soon-to-open Saint Benjamin Brewing Company, found his warehouse space at 1710 North 5th Street in Kensington, he immediately knew it would be the future home of his planned brewery and pub. The large open floor plan, great layout and architectural features offer a combination of functionality and historic character—both requirements when taking on as complex and difficult a project as opening a historic brewery and pub.
According to Patton, the warehouse was once the carriage house of the Theo Finkenauer Brewing Company in the late 1800s, during a time when this part of the city was a hotbed of brewing. As the decades passed, the neighborhood changed considerably and most of the breweries in Philadelphia have left.
The transition to full-scale brewery operations is not cheap, however. Enter the local crowd-funding website Lucky Ant! On Lucky Ant, businesses raise capital for improvement projects by offering specific rewards and deals to their local community. In turn, supporters receive exclusive offers, VIP access, discounts and more.
Saint Benjamin Brewing Company hopes to raise $20,000 to partially fund the construction and development of the brewery, with a planned summer 2013 opening. The majority of the funds will be used specifically to rebuild and restore the façade of the brewery to its late 19th-century condition. The goal of the project is not only to create an awesome new brewery and pub in Kensington but also to reclaim a piece of the history and character of a neighborhood that has been such an important part of the brewing industry in America. In exchange for helping restore history, supporters will earn merchandise (such as pint glasses, t-shirts, etc.), access to exclusive tasting events, beer naming rights, food, discounts and more!
See a video about the project and find out more about funding opportunities, rewards and more by clicking here! And be sure to follow Saint Benjamin Brewing Company on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the minute details on the brewery’s opening.
