YOUNGSTOWN With permits, beer's on tap at B & amp;O
The restaurant now offers its own Youngstown Brown and Arroyo Amber.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A smile crossed Robert Arroyo's face as he watched a friend carry the manila envelope through the door.
"Here comes my license," he said.
As he unveiled the green-and-white document Friday, his smiling staff gathered around him.
It's now official: Beer has begun to flow at the B & amp;O Station Brewery and Restaurant. And this time it's for good.
After months of waiting, the new West End eatery has received the required state permits to brew and sell beer.
Arroyo, restaurant co-owner, received the license about 4 p.m. Once posted, beer was served.
"This is probably the happiest you've seen me in a long time," Arroyo said. "It's a proud moment."
The B & amp;O, at Mahoning and Oak Hill avenues, was granted approval Thursday, said Matt Mullins, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control.
The permits had been held up as the state awaited federal approval of the brewing operation, Mullins said.
As soon as the document was posted, the bar could legally sell.
As for the brewing, it takes three weeks to three months to manufacture beer, depending on the style produced.
Batches brewed
Arroyo said the brewery will immediately begin offering its own micro-brewed beers. As the B & amp;O waited for license approval, the restaurant's brewmaster manufactured some batches at a separate location.
"Youngstown Brown" and "Arroyo Amber" can be tasted today, Arroyo said. Once the B & amp;O tanks start brewing, six will be available. The bar will also offer a seventh, seasonal, brew.
Arroyo and his partner, Joe Pedaline, took over operations of the restaurant as they were renovating the city-owned station for another restaurateur, who pulled out of the business. Just before the business was to have its grand opening, the brew company pulled out.
Arroyo and Pedaline were forced to take a few steps backward in the licensing procedure but went ahead with their June opening.
Through a deal with the city, the partners can buy the property for $50,000. They had put up $200,000 they would forfeit to the city if that amount was not invested into the building.
They have made more than $300,000 in renovations, said City Development Director Jeffrey L. Chagnot. He said the city expects to sell the building to the partners.