Voodoo Brewing Co. in San Marco wants to win over craft beer fans with its products, elevated pub grub, family-friendly atmosphere and event space.
Franchise owners Chris Rudin and Ryan Locke plan to build-out the two-story space at 1974 San Marco Blvd. in the San Marco shopping district. The building is across the street from the San Marco Lions sculpture in Balis Park. The building, vacant for years, previously housed Bohemian Lounge, Indochine and Square One.
Sleiman Enterprises purchased the 1974, 1980 and 1972 San Marco Blvd. properties in 2019 for $3.2 million.
Rudin said he expects to open in late May.
“I would like the middle of May. But realism is realism and then there’s optimism. Realism is late May for it to open,” he said.
Tim Young Construction Inc. of Jacksonville is the contractor for the $713,317 project. LGA Partners of Pittsburgh is the architect.
Voodoofranchising.com says the company brews its craft beer in a 30,000-square-foot taproom in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and delivers it to the brewpub franchise locations.
The voodoobrewery.com site shows Voodoo has 20 locations in eight states, including in Fort Myers.
It owns six, including the Fort Myers location, and franchises the others.
The franchise site says Voodoo Brewing also sells barrel-aged mixed-drinks as well as nitro coffee and teas.
Its pub menu, called “eclectic, localized,” is crafted for each brewpub.
It also sells merchandise including baseball caps and T-shirts.
The website says Voodoo Brewing prefers old buildings that previously housed restaurants, which reduces build-out costs.
The beer brewed in Pennsylvania will be delivered once a week, Rudin said. The beer is being distributed locally by Sunshine State Distribution.
Rudin has spent much of his life in the restaurant business. He said he has been involved in nearly every aspect from dishwasher to general manager and regional director for everything from fast casual to fine dining.
Locke has an insurance background and will handle business dealing with accountants, lawyers and human resources, Rudin said.
The restaurant will be 8,646 square feet, with 4,530 square feet downstairs and 4,116 square feet upstairs.
It will seat 290 with 16 seats at four tables on the front patio near the entrance.
Those who have been in the building before will not recognize it, Rudin said.
The square bar in the middle of the room will be removed to make way for a mandated handicapped elevator to the second floor. The bar will be moved to the left side of the building.
The staircase also will be changed. The landing will be removed and an iron banister added.
The kitchen will remain on the first floor in the back.
There will be 18 Voodoo Brewing Co. taps and six guest taps downstairs and eight taps in the upstairs bar.
However, if customers request national brands from Miller or Anheuser-Busch, Rudin said he may add them.
“I like our Empty Calories beer, which is basically our Michelob Ultra or our Miller Lite. I think it’s again, I’m biased as all get out, but I used to love Miller Lite. I used to love Michelob Ultra fine, but I don’t fancy drinking them anymore,” he said
“I’ll drink Empty Calories. I don’t want to take away from our beer by putting in something else. But if it’s a very requested item, I’m not going to shy away from it.”
They expect to 20 to 22 people.
Cocktails and wine also will be offered.
Rudin wants the food to be a draw and invites families for kid-friendly fare.
Upstairs offers space large enough for private meetings and events.
An obvious concern is the lack of San Marco parking, but Rudin knows customers can find what they need.
“I used to be concerned about parking, but not anymore. Because I’ve gone down there from Monday to Sunday – morning, afternoon and night. And it seems like there’s never a parking space. But there are always people that find a way.”