Jeff Toquinto on March 24, 2018
After making public plans for a new restaurant at Charles Pointe in September of 2016, more than a year went by before there was any additional discussion – at least publicly – on the proposed Mountain State Brewing to go into the development.
That all changed this past December. Officials with Charles Pointe and the restaurant both announced everything needing to be finalized to move forward was complete. And Mountain State Brewing General Manager Chad Bartlett, who is heading up the third location of the business, said things would begin as soon as good weather arrived.
This past week’s snow notwithstanding, he wasn’t lying. On March 16, a building permit was officially filed for the new business. The permithandled at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex gives the green light to begin work on a $1.1 million restaurant.
“If you’ve been by there, you can tell that earthwork has already started,” said Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr. “Earthwork won’t be too difficult as most of the property that is being utilized is already flat.”
Kerr said it is her understanding that the actual work on the building will begin next week. That could mean that an aggressive build could have the building ready for business this summer as Bartlett had stated in December of 2017.
The building will cover 9,000 square feet and will be on one floor. Kerr said the building will have outdoor seating added to it eventually, which she said is a nice feature.
“The plans show that and, even though you’re seeing a few businesses adding outdoor seating, it’s something we would like to see more of in Bridgeport,” said Kerr.
In December, Bartlett said he’s been working on securing the location for three years. Kerr has been involved with the project as well, dating back to her time as the Bridgeport City Clerk.
“It’s been a long time in the making and to see dirt finally being moved is very exciting,” said Kerr. “I think I’ve been involved with Chad Bartlett on this project when he approached the city from the beginning, which adds to the excitement.”
The new Bridgeport site will mark the third location beyond the one in Morgantown and in Deep Creek, Md. The restaurant serves many brands of its own beer and the actual brewery is in Davis.
For those who think it’s simply a bar based on its name, the assumption would be incorrect. Mountain State Brewing Company, Bartlett said, is a family-oriented restaurant. While it will offer its own beers, as well as plenty of other beers (including other locally made and craft beers), Mountain State Brewing is known just as much for its food.
“I think we have the best pizza and beer around. A hidden secret is our pulled pork because I don’t think people expect it, but we do it overnight by capping it and when we pull it out in the morning, it’s phenomenal,” Bartlett said in December. “We have a wide menu offerings along with a varied offering of beverages, but it is family atmosphere everyone can enjoy.”
The new restaurant at Charles Pointe will be situated between the Fairmont Federal Credit Union and House of Fashion and in the area where the new 911 building (the former Christie- Cutlip Building) is located. There will be views along the roadway and more.
Fairchance Construction is the contractor for the project. The architect for the new building is Desmone Architects. Bartlett could not be reached for comment.
