By Corey LeBlanc
ANTIGONISH — Instead of shoes, customers will soon be able to buy brews at an iconic building in downtown Antigonish.
The ground floor of the historic Stewart Building, which housed the popular Oak Manor Men’s Wear for more than 50 years, is now the home for Spindrift Oak Manor.
The new tap room and beer store, owned by Dartmouth-based Spindrift Brewing Co., expects to welcome its first thirsty visitors early in 2021.
“We are unbelievably pumped to be expanding Spindrift to Antigonish,” says Jeff Green, Spindrift director of sales and marketing.
The company plans to brew on a one BBL (barrel) system, with several fermenters of the same size, that will weekly produce beers exclusive to Spindrift Oak Manor.
The much-enjoyed Spindrift and Toller lines will be on tap for pints and growler fills, along with swag and merchandise for both labels. There will also be take-home cans available, including the wildly-popular $41.99 Toller 2-4.
The storefront view of the soon-to-be opened Spindrift Oak Manor brewery and taproom in downtown Antigonish. CONTRIBUTED
“We will have a fully-working brewery on-site, one specific to that location,” Green says.
He says Spindrift is excited about having the opportunity to set up in “such a beautiful community. We want to do something that fits its motif,” he adds.
As for why they selected Antigonish to open their second location – their flagship store is a “drive-to” in Burnside Industrial Park in Dartmouth – there is an element of serendipity; one of the Spindrift owners knows Rob Secco, the Antigonish native who recently purchased and is developing the Stewart Building.
“He [Secco] saw great potential,” Green says of Spindrift ending up with the spot “right smack in the middle of town,” Green says Spindrift is excited about becoming part of a vibrant downtown, noting Antigonish’s myriad offerings, including several culinary options.
“We will not be offering food, so we encourage people to support the incredible restaurants in the vicinity,” he notes.
Green adds the Spindrift team is looking forward to what he calls a “nice little hub” of breweries and distilleries in the Antigonish area.
“We are pretty pleased,” he says of the prospects the company envisions with its new challenge.
Describing the Spindrift Oak Manor taproom as “warm and cozy,” Green says Spindrift has focused on maintaining a strong connection to the rich history of the building, including keeping much of the original Oak Manor woodwork. They plan to decorate the space with photos and items that honour the heritage of Antigonish.
The Spindrift Brewing Co. logo.
“There is so much history – we want to tap into that, pardon the pun,” Green says, with a laugh.
The taproom will include larger communal tables, along with comfy nooks, which will provide seating options and “you will be able to grab a pint with a friend,” Green says.
From university students studying while sipping an afternoon pint to local professionals unwinding after a day at work, he adds they hope everyone “will find the space as warm and welcoming as we do.”
As for their potential clientele, Green describes it as a “great mix,” including Xaverians coming here from across and the country and around the world; ones with a variety of tastes, including when it comes to beer. “They are more into craft brews,” he notes of that demographic.
Green also mentions the healthcare workers from St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and other professionals that they expect to welcome to Spindrift Oak Manor.
“There is an eclectic group of people,” he says.
There will be a variety of tasty brews on tap when Spindrift Oak Manor opens early in 2021 on Main Street in Antigonish. CONTRIBUTED
As for the anticipated opening, Green notes Spindrift Oak Manor, like many other businesses, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While interviewing prospective managers in recent weeks – they expect to have four to five full-time employees – he says they heard several suggestions about potential offerings, including opportunities to interact with the brewmaster.
“We want to have some fun,” Green adds when reflecting on what they want to provide with a Spindrift Oak Manor experience. When the operation is up and running, he says Spindrift wants to continue to build on its reputation of strong community involvement. With one initiative, the company supports the SPCA and other animal organizations through Toller product line sales.
“We always want to give back,” Green says.
