Outdoor dining on Main Street in September at Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant. As Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant wrapped up a highly successful first year in downtown Burlington last March, its immediate future looked far less certain. The global pandemic was shutting down businesses – especially restaurants and bars – across the … Continue reading Burlington Beer Works begins year three with optimism after a challenging 2020
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New partnership, new personality and a little wine in downtown Burlington
Two leaders in the ongoing renaissance of downtown Burlington as an entertainment and art district are partners in a new venture that will occupy part of the former Mary Katherine's store on East Front Street. Tracy Schmidt, general manager of Burlington Beer Works and Holly Treadwell, owner of The Blend and Co. are joining forces … Continue reading New partnership, new personality and a little wine in downtown Burlington
Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant quietly marks first anniversary
A little more than a year ago I sat across a table from Tracy Schmidt for the first time. It was also my first time inside Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant, which was preparing to open after years of planning, fundraising and preperation. Schmidt had just returned from Raleigh with the state license to … Continue reading Burlington Beer Works Brewery and Restaurant quietly marks first anniversary
Something on tap across from Zack’s in one of downtown’s oldest buildings
When Brandon Martin looks at photographs of downtown Burlington taken in the early 1960s he likes how busy it appears. It was the hot spot in town for retail shopping and commerce. It was a hub for social life. He thinks it could be that way again. "If you look back at photos from the … Continue reading Something on tap across from Zack’s in one of downtown’s oldest buildings
Updated: Lots of new ideas for things to do in downtown Burlington — and coming soon
Author's note: Updated again on March 13 to reflect schedule changes due to the COVID-19 situation. Latest updates in bold type. Author's Note: This post has been updated to add the event listing below of things to do during the first Fourth Friday Arts Walk scheduled for Feb. 28, 2020 in downtown Burlington. Painting, poetry, … Continue reading Updated: Lots of new ideas for things to do in downtown Burlington — and coming soon
There’s a new chef in town: Hiring Kyle Wilkerson a coup for Burlington Beer Works
UPDATED, Feb. 17, 2020: Kyle Wilkerson and Burlington Beer Works parted company in late January. --- Kyle Wilkerson got his first look at kitchen operations for Burlington Beer Works on June 25. At the time he was interviewing for the position of executive chef, which would become open in July. Wilkerson, one of the top … Continue reading There’s a new chef in town: Hiring Kyle Wilkerson a coup for Burlington Beer Works
Building a new downtown for Burlington a block at a time
In March of 2013, which now seems like eons ago but in fact is only a fraction of time when the universe is considered, a consultant was hired to take a look at Burlington's downtown, make a few notes and then come back with a report about how to, you know, make it decent. In … Continue reading Building a new downtown for Burlington a block at a time
Updated: What’s on tap at Burlington Beer Works
UPDATE ON APRIL 4, 2019: Burlington Beer Works will begin offering sampling flights today. Four 5.5-ounce pours for $7. Yay! Time to get some samples! About a week and a half ago, on March 16, Burlington's much-anticipated downtown brewpub took part in a street festival held to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, or rather St. Patrick's … Continue reading Updated: What’s on tap at Burlington Beer Works
Let it flow at Burlington Beer Works
It was just after 2 p.m. on Friday (March 15, 2019) and Tracy Schmidt is in the middle of a conversation with Sharon Dent. They are on the second floor in the new Burlington Beer Works microbrewery and restaurant overlooking Front and Main Streets in downtown Burlington. Schmidt, the general manager, and Dent, president of … Continue reading Let it flow at Burlington Beer Works
Getting reoriented in downtown Burlington
One of the things I miss about working in downtown Burlington is actually being a part of the fabric of what's there. When I worked at the newspaper office on South Main Street I would take daily walks stretching from City Park to the depot. Starting when I returned to Burlington from 15 years on … Continue reading Getting reoriented in downtown Burlington
Madison's Avenue 