Green Bench Brewing plans move forward

ST. PETERSBURG

Green Bench Brewing plans move forward

After some setbacks that delayed its opening by about a year, Green Bench Brewing Co. is back on track. "The money is in the bank. We hope to have construction done by April," said Nathan Stonecipher, co-owner of the business going into a 1925 brick warehouse at 1134 First Ave. N. He hopes the $1 million project will start serving up locally made beer by early summer. Last year, he and business partner Steven Duffy lost about half of their private equity investors when their head brewer backed out. They spent months finding another brewer and securing financing. "This time the brewer is not going anywhere," Stonecipher said. They kept the building and have signed a contract. Green Bench Brewing will have a 1,500-square-foot tasting room inside and a 6,000-square-foot patio and beer garden. It will have a dozen beers made on the premises on tap. The offerings will rotate regularly. The craft beer should be a draw for tourists and residents, Stonecipher said. He hopes the brewery will complement existing businesses. His wife, Sara Stonecipher, owns the popular Misred Outfitters vintage clothing store at 615 Central Ave. "The green benches back in the day were where people gathered, got caught up, talked about business," he said. "That's what we want people to do over a pint of our beer."

Katherine Snow Smith, Times staff writer

News of businesses and business people can be faxed to (727) 893-8675, emailed to kssmith@tampabay.com or mailed to Katherine Snow Smith, Tampa Bay Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Photos can be emailed as jpgs.