Penguin City Beer to bring brewing operation downtown

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Since they got the idea to create Penguin City Beer, owners Aspasia Lyras and Richard Bernacki’s dream has been to brew it in downtown Youngstown.

Soon, that dream will be reality.

Penguin City announced Tuesday it has leased space in the B&O Station on Mahoning Avenue.

“We always wanted to be in downtown Youngstown. We imagined the beer company being in downtown Youngstown, so to actually have it happen really does mean the world to us – especially taking over a brewery that’s been sitting for three years and bringing that back to life,” said Lyras.

The B&O banquet hall has a brewing space that has been sitting unused since Rust Belt Brewing Co. leased it.

Lyras and Bernacki plan to renovate the space over the next few months. Once they’re up and running, the site will be used to supply the 60 or so locations Penguin City – which launched in August – counts as clients. Penguin City beer will also be incorporated into the food and drinks at the Boxcar Lounge, a bar at the B&O that has been undergoing some changes of its own.

While it was reported last year that the longtime B&O owner wanted to sell the property, that plan has been shelved as the next generation of the family takes over management of the Boxcar and banquet hall. Erik Cassile-Arroyo and his fiancee, Catherine Fetter, are operating the Boxcar, and Sandi Cassile-Arroyo and Fetter are running the banquet hall.

The Penguin City news is the latest development in what the B&O operators hope will be a contribution to the revitalization of downtown Youngstown.

“We’re really excited about the partnership, and about being able to provide the space to bring Penguin City to the heart of Youngstown, and we’re excited to start incorporating Penguin City beer in some of the Boxcar Lounge’s signature cocktails,” said Fetter.

Adding to some recent changes – such as a renovated outdoor pavilion and the debut of a food menu – the Boxcar will add brunch to its offerings, starting this weekend. Brunch will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

In the future, the B&O owners hope to find more ways to make use of the sprawling property and building, Fetter said.

Lyras estimated it will take about three months to get the brewery up and running. From there, Penguin City – which has been brewing at Paladin Brewing in Austintown – will look at other ways to expand its offerings

Currently, the company offers its signature beer, described in a recent Vindicator story as “a golden ale that has the refreshing style of a pilsner.”

Penguin City is owned by married couple Lyras and Bernacki; Michael Pontikos, a marketing instructor at Youngstown State University and Lyras’ cousin, also is involved in the business. Pontikos created the company’s brightly-colored logo.

“Once we’re in the facility, we do have ideas for a beer line. Once we’re in our place, we’ll definitely expand to other beers,” Lyras said.

She added: “We’re just really excited to be downtown, to be part of the revitalization of downtown Youngstown. We’re excited to get in there and start brewing.”