Beer brought them back together. Tampa natives Philippe Theodore and Jason Rappaport met in the third grade at Berkeley Prep. They grew up  to go their separate ways, but now the hugely successful Westchase pub concept World of Beer has brought them together again. They bought the area development rights to the venture (500 beers, live music, drawing a professional crowd) and are currently building two new WOBs, one in Tampa Palms and one in the old Panchero's site at 5226 4th St. N in St. Petersburg.

According to Theodore, the St. Petersburg location is awaiting its certificate of occupancy but anticipates opening at the end of next week. They hired a local St. Petersburg staff and have just finished putting the group through an intensive training program. Adding a new twist to the Westchase flagship store, which is beer only, no food, the new St. Pete location will offer a limited menu of bar-friendly foods like flatbread pizzas, mojo chicken wings, pretzel bread served with a porter cheese dip and beef sliders called Wobbers.