BLOOMINGTON, IND. — Bloomington, Indiana startup Switchyard Brewing Company has executed a long-term lease and taken possession of the former Jakes Night Club building at 419 North Walnut Street in downtown Bloomington. Alongside property owner Jordan Vukas, the 8,800 square foot structure will undergo several major renovations including a new roof, new HVAC systems, and a complete interior demolition and renovation.
“What was previously just a dream has become a provable and tangible reality! After a long three-year search, Switchyard finally has a home in downtown Bloomington and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Jeff Hall, co-founder of Switchyard Brewing. “All the pieces just seemed to fit perfectly for this space. We’re excited to finally begin swinging hammers and bring our startup to life.”
With early morning hours, Switchyard will be a place where other visionaries, creatives and entrepreneurs can build their dreams in a unique open collaborative workspace. “We’re building Switchyard for those with overactive imaginations, the ones who dare to think differently, for the next generation of entrepreneurs and creatives,” said Kurtis Cummings, co-founder of Switchyard Brewing.
“We believe that business can, and should be a catalyst for positive change within our community. We believe in empowering other aspiring creatives to pursue their dreams. We believe in hard work, quality, and persistence against all odds. As a local two-car garage startup, we have a unique perspective on the needs and challenges of the Bloomington startup community. To bring Switchyard to life, we initially raised seed capital totaling $42,560 from 301 backers in the #ShareOurCraft Kickstarter campaign. We have since partnered with Indianapolis based Localstake to help us analyze our financing options and provide related advisory services as we move forward with our growth.”
With a full menu and handcrafted beer produced on site, Switchyard will feature private special event spaces, and an indoor stage for live music. “Our space will be incredibly flexible, serving a dual purpose, and will transform from a collaborative workspace in the day to a new exciting addition to the Bloomington nightlife scene,” said Hall. With demolition beginning immediately, Switchyard Brewing is projected to open in December of this year.
About Switchyard Brewing Company
Born on the workbench of a two car garage alongside family, friends, and tradition, Switchyard Brewing Company is an independent Bloomington, Indiana craft brewpub that believes that business can and should be a catalyst for positive change in our community. By facilitating the entrepreneurial spirit in a unique early morning collaborative workspace, Switchyard encourages others to pursue their own dreams and develop their own craft.