Brewing company building on market for $595,000

Local News

Discussion

August 5, 2009

BY MIKE FAHER The Tribune-Democrat Wed Aug 05, 2009, 12:07 AM EDT

A prominent Johnstown property – including nearly four acres of land and a 6,800 square-foot building – is up for sale.

The former Johnstown Brewing Co. building, which dates to the early 1900s and at one time was an exclusive hangout for steel executives, is offered at $595,000.

The property’s future is important for officials in Southmont, where there are relatively few commercial properties to boost the community’s mainly residential tax base.

“We’ve just got to hope that there’s some entrepreneur out there who’s willing to reopen it,” Borough Manager Rich Wargo said.

Johnstown Brewing Co. opened in March 2003 and carved out a local niche by offering its own brand of beer brewed on site. But the owners ran into financial problems, and the restaurant closed in June 2008.

The Brewing Company was only the latest business venture at 942 Pinegrove Lane. In the past 14 years, the property has hosted four eateries: PineWood Restaurant, Charbonnee Au Vin, Lino’s and the Brewing Company.

Charbonnee Au Vin lasted only four months in 1997. The Brewing Company and Lino’s, which operated from March 1998 to January 2003, were far more successful but still could not find long-term stability.

However, the property’s history stretches back for at least a century. Initially, the building was constructed as a clubhouse for a nine-hole golf course.

Bethlehem Steel Corp. bought the site in 1923. The golf course was replaced by tennis courts, and Bethlehem Management Club hosted the steelmaking giant’s supervisory employees for decades.

Bethlehem fell on hard times by the 1980s and put the property, by then called Ye Olde Country Club, up for sale. It was purchased by a consortium of club members, but a bank foreclosed on the site in the early 1990s.

The property now is being promoted through RE/MAX Team Realtors.

The sprawling building includes bars and seating on two floors, along with an outdoor deck and 3.9 acres of land. A liquor license is available, but the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board would have to approve its transfer to a new owner.

It is the only liquor license in Southmont Borough.

And Wargo said that any commercial redevelopment of the property

– whether through the opening of a new restaurant or another commercial venture – would have positive ramifications for the community.

“Obviously, it’s going to have an impact on us,” Wargo said. “It’s going to generate additional property taxes, and it will help the earned-income taxes.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
A Boswell-based summer camp is expanding again, with an additional 130 acres of Ligonier-area land expected to provide more space for a growing program for inner-city youth.

February 10, 2012
City not seeking grant for firemen
Six weeks after a second round of layoffs, Johnstown firefighters believe they have found a way to restore their depleted manpower.

February 10, 2012
Six awarded Allegany College scholarships
Six Somerset County residents recently were awarded the Lucas Popernack Memorial Scholarships for study at Allegany College of Maryland in the current 2011-12 academic year.

February 10, 2012
Blogging with heart
Although it was probably high school English classes that propelled by career, I always liked science and history – with some notable, teacher-personality-or-competence-related exceptions.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Commissioners appoint three to arena board
The Cambria County commissioners, looking for new input for the county-owned War Memorial Arena, have appointed three new members to the seven-member War Memorial Authority board.

February 10, 2012
In brief: Police seek suspect in Lower Yoder burglary
West Hills Regional Police are searching for a suspect in the burglary of a Lower Yoder Township home on Tuesday.

February 10, 2012
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.

February 10, 2012
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

February 10, 2012
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.

February 9, 2012 2 Photos
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.

February 9, 2012 2 Photos
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Brewing company building on market for $595,000

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Contact Us