TEMPLE, Texas (Oct. 29, 2014)—The Temple Economic Development Corporation (Temple EDC) today announced BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. will add the company’s first brewpub concept in Texas with an approximate $2.5 million brewpub in downtown Temple.
The brewpub will be located near the intersection of East Central Avenue and North 12th Street in downtown Temple. While the primary function of this new concept will be to supply craft beer to many of the BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse locations in Texas, a tasting room will also provide guests an opportunity to sample the micro-brews.
BJ’s Brewhouse will bring approximately eight new jobs to downtown Temple in 2015.
“BJ’s is revamping an older structure that had opportunity for good use,” Temple EDC President David Blackburn said. “The brewpub will be a great addition to downtown Temple because it will bring new life to a vacant building while also bringing capital investment.
Temple’s central location in Texas and interstate highway access provides a strong option for companies looking to distribute products throughout the state.
An economic development agreement based on capital investment was approved by the Temple EDC Board of Directors Aug. 28.
BJ’s will complete a remodel and finish-out of the building, and install new sidewalks. The company has already begun construction work on the building and expects to open in the first quarter of next year.
“This project perfectly supports the efforts for redevelopment and job growth initiative for East Temple and the strategic plan for downtown, which includes attracting vibrant, successful and growing businesses like BJ’s,” Temple EDC Vice President Charley Ayres said.
BJ’s is recognized by many prestigious national and international organizations year after year for the quality and taste of its house-brewed beers. In 2014 alone, BJ’s received the following awards:
North American Beer Awards:
Gold: Brown Porter for PM Porter – Reno
Silver: Belgian-style Witbier for Nit Wit – Chandler
Silver: South German-style Hefeweizen for Harvest Hefeweizen – Chandler
Silver: German Kolsch for Brewhouse Blonde – Chandler
Bronze: American-style Cream Ale for Brewhouse Blonde – Reno
Bronze: American Brown Ale for Nutty Brewnette – Reno
World Beer Cup:
Gold: Indigenous Beers for Wild and Crazy Rye – Boulder
Bronze: Indigenous Beers for Got Beer – Boulder
To watch videos about BJ’s beers, including its popular Pumpkin Ale, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Q36SUGUGWNxCYnwPvvMkw.
About Temple
Temple, Texas, is a community with a diverse economic base that includes healthcare, distribution and warehousing, and manufacturing as its foundation. Within 200 miles of a population of 19 million, Temple is strategically located 39 minutes north of the Austin Metro Area on I-35, making it central within the Southwest U.S. marketplace. For more information, visit www.choosetemple.com.
About BJ’s Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 154 casual dining restaurants under the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery®, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse®, BJ’s Pizza & Grill® and BJ’s Grill® brand names. BJ’s Restaurants offer an innovative and broad menu featuring award-winning, signature deep-dish pizza complemented with generously portioned salads, appetizers, sandwiches, soups, pastas, entrees and desserts, including the Pizookie® dessert. The Company operates several microbrewery restaurants in addition to using independent third party brewers to produce and distribute BJ’s critically acclaimed craft beers. The Company’s restaurants are located in California (63), Texas (32), Florida (18), Arizona (6), Colorado (5), Nevada (5), Ohio (4), Washington (4), Oklahoma (3), Oregon (3), Kentucky (2), Virginia (3), Arkansas (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (1) and New Mexico (1). Visit BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. on the web at http://www.bjsrestaurants.com.